What is P-EBT? Do you know, or should I ask, do you even know what it is all about? If you look closely you will find an acronym you are already familiar with and that acronym is EBT. EBT here as you have already known stands for electronic benefit transfer. Now, what is an electronic benefit transfer? Electronic benefit transfer simply means a means of making use of your snap or benefit card electronically. The EBT card is what was used to replace the renowned food stamps receipts. SNAP which was previously known as food stamps can now be accessed via the EBT card which can be used as a debit card. So the next question here is what is P-EBT?
P-EBT
P-EBT refers to pandemic electronic benefit transfer. If you are an American citizen then you should know about the family’s first coronavirus act of 2020. This act provides the secretary of agriculture the authority to approve a much-needed state agency plans for temporary emergency benefits under the food and nutrition act of 2008. This program is specially made for children or kids who are eligible to receive free foods or reduced meals price under the Richard B. Russell national school lunch act. Children under the Richard B Russell act will only benefit from this program when a school is closed for at least 5 consecutive days during a public health emergency leading to the point where a school will not be in session.
Now, what does this program do? If you have been following me closely in this article, then you should know what this program is all about and how it works. The pandemic electronic benefit transfer provides nutritional resources to families who have lost access to the free or reduced meals price due to the closure of schools caused by the coronavirus. With this program, families will, therefore, receive money on a new or existing EBT card. This will help fill the school meals gap. This program is an emergency program and the coronavirus pandemic gave rise to this. Continue reading to know how you can or will be eligible for his program and how you can make use of this program benefits.
P-EBT Eligibility
This program is directly intended for children who are eligible for receiving free meals or reduced meals price for school meals. Families who have also lost their job or means of wages are also eligible. For households with one or more children who were enrolled in pre K through 12th grade will also be eligible for this program. Lastly, to be able to be eligible for this program, your children or kids who attend community eligibility provision schools are eligible. This benefit is provided by the department of children and family services.
P-EBT Benefits
The benefits of this program are quite numerous and advantageous. For this program, you will receive$5.70 for every eligible child. For every day a school is closed a child gets paid adding up to $114 per child for four weeks. The funds of this program will be made available to participants through their existing EBT cards or new cards. The time in which you will receive the money completely depends on the state you live in. To know more about your state’s resources and when you will receive the money for this program, you will need to continue reading.
P-EBT Card
The P-EBT card is the same as your SNAP EBT card. If you already have a snap ebt card, then you don’t need to get or apply for a new card. However, if you don’t have a snap ebt card, you will need to apply for a new one. This card can be used as your normal debit or credit card. This card can be used to purchase food items in grocery stores and farmers markets.
You can also use the card to buy food items and grocery items online at Walmart and Amazon. When purchasing food items at grocery stores and farmers markets you can also select ebt as a means of payment. Next, you will have to swipe your card and then enter your private PIN number. It is that simple. On the other hand, you cannot use this card to purchase hot foods, already prepared food or purchase foods from restaurants
How To Apply For P-EBT
Application for this program is strictly online. But if on the other hand you already have or have received a card via mail, you should not apply online. You will be mailed a set of instructions with your P-EBT card on how to create a PIN and then activate your card. The application instructions for the P-EBT card vary with each state. Follow this link Here and select your state to know how to apply online.
States Approved To Implement P-EBT
Currently, as at the time of this writing, 44 states have been approved to implement this program and they are;
- Alabama.
- Alaska.
- Arizona.
- Arkansas.
- California.
- Colorado.
- Connecticut.
- Delaware.
- District of Columbia.
- Florida.
- Georgia.
- Hawaii.
- Illinois.
- Indiana.
- Iowa.
- Kansas.
- Kentucky.
- Louisiana.
- Maine.
- Massachusetts.
- Maryland.
- Michigan.
- Minnesota.
- Missouri.
- Mississippi.
- New Hampshire.
- New Mexico.
- North Carolina.
- New York.
- North Dakota.
- Ohio.
- Oregon.
- Pennsylvania.
- Rhode Island.
- Tennessee.
- Texas.
- US Virgin Islands.
- Vermont.
- Virginia.
- Washington.
- Wisconsin.
- West Virginia.
- Wyoming.
These are the 44 states currently implementing this program at the time of this writing.
CHECK THESE OUT:
- P-EBT Funds – P-EBT Application Deadline | Participating States
- The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer – The P-EBT Application
- P-EBT Cards Are In The Mall – What Stores Accept P-EBT | Apply For P-BET
- How to Apply for Pandemic EBT Program (P-EBT): A Guide Through the P-EBT Application Process
- CCISD Parents Able To Apply For Pandemic Food Benefits – P-EBT
