Families receiving free or reduced school meals eligible for P-EBT
Community, News, State & National June 23, 2020BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – The Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) and Georgia Department of Education (DOE) received approval to operate the new Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program.
Update: As of July 22, Department of Human Services stated the applications for P-EBT would be available in late July. Distribution dates for eligible SNAP families will be released once final dates are determined.
P-EBT will provide 1.1M children, who normally receive free or reduced meals, and families with assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the DFCS website, families will receive a one-time allotment of $256.50 in total P-EBT benefits per child based on the number of school closure days.
It’s a no-cost program that should begin in July and benefits are non-transferable. New information is being added to the DFCS website as details are finalized.
DFCS secured approval for $5.07 per day for the 45 days children missed school in Georgia. The program will work in conjunction with other services and benefits available to families during the pandemic. Families should continue to take advantage of local school and community meal sites.
The current designated allotment amounts from one child and up.
All children accepting free or reduced school meals, “if not for their school closure due to COVID-19, are eligible to receive P-EBT.” Due to the mandated school closures, these children and families can now obtain a P-EBT card to cover the costs of meals. The P-EBT card works at approved Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) EBT retailers to purchase food items.
If families are already on SNAP benefits, they do not need to apply for P-EBT. Eligible SNAP benefits will receive a preloaded P-EBT automatically on their existing EBT card.
Everyone else, who qualifies for free or reduced lunch, must apply, and complete the entire application to see if their child is eligible. Applications are processed in the order that they are received. If approved, these families should receive a P-EBT in the mail within three to four weeks along with instructions on how to use it. The card will be mailed to the address listed on the application.
“Families receiving a P-EBT card will need to create a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to activate the card. Applicants may log into https://www.connectebt.com/gaebtclient/ or call 888-421-3281 to complete this process. If a P-EBT card is not received from the vendor, recipients can email [email protected] for assistance.” – DFCS website.
The distribution dates for SNAP families will be released once final dates are determined. P-EBT benefits will roll over from month-to-month but must be used within 365 days. Any unused P-EBT benefit after 365 days will be removed from the account.
The program was approved by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to aid families with children that have lost access to free or reduced school meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. DFCS and DOE collaborated on the program. DFCS utilized May 2020 data from DOE to determine eligibility and enrollment in the school meal program. Students must have participated in reduced meals during the 2019-2020 school year.
Children in charter and private schools who receive free or reduced meals through the National School Lunch Program should be able to receive P-EBT benefits too.
Homeschooled and Pre-K children should also be able to receive P-EBT if they partake in a federal free or reduced lunch program.
Headstart children aren’t eligible for P-EBT. Families not eligible can contact 211 for assistance from food banks, food pantries, or other resources, as well as visit: https://www.unitedway.org/our-impact/featured-programs/2-1-1.
Foster parents need to sign up for their foster children currently in their care.
Since DFCS is finalizing the program, expect updates. Fetch Your News will adjust this article as details are released.
16 Comments
When are they supposed to release additional funds on clients preexisting accounts??
Distribution dates for eligible SNAP families will be released once final dates are determined.
When the application going be available to fill out.for the children that get free lunch wasn’t getting food stamp.
As of July 22, Department of Human Services stated the applications for P-EBT would be available in late July. Distribution dates for eligible SNAP families will be released once final dates are determined.
I have 3 kids who were in school. There were 3 deposits which added up to 513, the amount for 2 kids. Why did I not get the other 256.50
I have 4 foster children in my home. i have been trying to apply for the p-ebt assistance and have not been able
please assist me with information.
thanks
As of July 22, Department of Human Services stated the applications for P-EBT would be available in late July. Distribution dates for eligible SNAP families will be released once final dates are determined.
How do I fill out and get applications for P-EBT card for one time free lunch program
What is late July to y’all, it’s July 26 right now.
They keep saying the application will be ready late July. Well it’s 7/24/20 and still don’t see it.
When will these benefits be released and how do i know that they include all of my kids? I receive SNAP and my kids receive free/reduced school meals.
what if u are divorsed and ur 15 yr old has lived with u since march will i get the p-ebt or will her mom get it
Has the application for the p-ebt been posted yet for the people who don’t receive any food stamps, but have kids in school..
If so , what’s the link or where would I find the application
I need help figuring out why I’m not able to complete my application for p-ebt I put the correct information in for my kids it’s saying that the information is incorrect can someone help me
You have to get the 10 digit number off the child’s transcript on the parent portal
My 2 kids just now got approved like 2 weeks ago for free school meals. I applied for the p-ebt card but it was denied because they were supposed to be getting free or reduced meals as of march. That’s messed up. I need the help!