The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 authorized the payment of Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) food benefits to households with children who would have received free or reduced-price school meals under the National School Lunch Act, if not for a school closure. The P-EBT program will provide eligible households with the amount that would have been spent by the government for free breakfast and lunch which equals $5.70 per child. This can mean hundreds of dollars per child as schools in many states have been closed since the middle of March.
Some states are advising that parents do not have to do anything yet to receive the benefits and more information will be mailed to them while other states may require an application from parents or action by their schools. Agudath Israel has reached out to state officials in several states on behalf of nonpublic schools and are awaiting responses to some of their specific questions. Children may continue to receive “grab n go” meals or emergency food at COVID-19 emergency feeding sites offered by schools and community locations, even if they are receiving P-EBT benefits.
Many states will be sending out their first payments in the days and weeks ahead.
New York
For a detailed memo sent by Agudath Israel’s Yeshiva Services Division see here.
New Jersey
All schools that participate in the lunch program have been contacted by the Department of Human Services for a list of all students who receive lunch. They will automatically be receiving their P- EBT card by mid-June.
Maryland
Please click here for more information.
Illinois
Please see the following link- https://conta.cc/2TEviPI
California
Any family which already receiving benefits, whether WIC, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or Foster Care will automatically be registered and should be receiving the benefits no later than tomorrow. If a family is not receiving benefits but is still eligible for free or reduced lunch, they can apply online before June 30. To apply and to learn more go to: http://ca.p-ebt.org/
List of approved states: