Will there be another P-EBT Benefits For 2020-2021 School Year? Well if you are one of those asking this question, then this post will provide you with the answer you need. Ever since the pandemic started, the federal and state government are taking significant steps to help struggling families feed their children.
What is Pandemic-EBT?
In April 2020, the Family’s First Coronavirus Response Act authorized a new benefit called Pandemic EBT. With the aim of helping families with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals but missing them due to school closures or a switch to virtual instruction.
The benefits can only be spent on food items at any store that accepts SNAP/food stamps, where you can also receive Food Bucks on your fruits and vegetable purchases.
In the effort to help American citizens in this current situation, Pres. Biden signed an executive order to boost P-EBT benefits nationwide by 15%. This means that benefits will be retroactive to the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year.
P-EBT Benefits For 2020-2021 School Year
Through P-EBT, eligible school students will receive temporary emergency nutrition benefits loaded on EBT cards that are used to purchase food.
For the 2020-2021 school year, P-EBT benefits will be available to families whose children attend an eligible school that has reduced its in-person instruction days.
SEE ALSO: P-EBT Funds Participating States And What To Buy With P-EBT Benefits
P-EBT Benefits FAQ
Below are some of the most frequently asked P-EBT questions.
Which families are eligible for P-EBT 2020-2021 School Year?
Eligible children include:
- School-age children who are eligible for Free and Reduced-Price Meals, which means enrolled at a school participating in the National School Lunch Program (more info below), and attending a school that has reduced the number of operating school days (either closed or operating under a hybrid model).
- The extension also allows for the state to apply to provide P-EBT benefits to some children who attend a child care facility that provides meals through the Child and Adult Care Feeding Program if the child care center is closed or has reduced days or hours. The law says the child may also have to be receiving SNAP benefits, although there is another language that makes this somewhat unclear. USDA will have to clarify some of this before the state can submit a plan to cover these children.
Students who are not enrolled in a school that offers free and reduced-price meals, such as cyber schools, for-profit private schools, and those who are homeschooled, are not eligible for P-EBT.
What if my children are not signed up for free or reduced-price school meals during the school year?
If your child was eligible for free or reduced-price meals at their school prior to the pandemic but wasn’t signed up for them, or if your income has changed and you now meet the income guidelines, then you must apply for free and reduced-price school meals in order to get P-EBT.
How much in P-EBT benefits will I receive?
Households are to receive $5.70 per day per eligible child for each missed school day. States are allowed to simplify eligibility so they can provide a standard benefit amount instead of determining the precise number of missed school days for each child.
How will I get the P-EBT benefits?
Once you use up all your 2019-2020 benefits you should hold onto your P-EBT card, as that’s where the state will likely deposit additional benefits once they become available.
What days may States issue P-EBT benefits?
Benefits may be issued for weekdays during the regular school year. Benefits may not be issued for school breaks or holidays.
Can a State issue replacement P-EBT cards if they were lost or misplaced?
States may issue replacement P-EBT cards, but cannot replace the value of any benefits which have already been redeemed.
Will receiving P-EBT benefits affect my eligibility for other benefits?
No, it will not, and other benefits will not affect your eligibility for P-EBT.
Note: The P-EBT program has been approved for the 2020-2021 school year with the stimulus bill passed in December.
If you have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and you know that you qualify to receive extra food stamps kindly check out our article here.
