Due to COVID-19 school closures, families may be eligible to get help with food benefits. These food benefits are called Pandemic EBT Emergency School Meals Program or P-EBT.
What is Pandemic EBT?
Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) is a food benefit program. EBT is an electronic system that allows a recipient to authorize transfer of their government benefits from a federal account to a retailer account to pay for products received. P-EBT is a specialized form of EBT available during the COVID-19 Pandemic to families with children who receive free or reduced price school meals.
P-EBT is worth a maximum of $399 for every eligible child age 5-18.
A few key facts about P-EBT:
- Immigration status does not matter for P-EBT.
- Children are allowed to get free meals while our schools are closed and get P-EBT.
- Children will get this benefit only once for this school year. If a family with a school aged child (or children) is enrolled in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) by the end of June, the P-EBT benefits for all kids will be added to their EBT card.
- If a child (or children) was enrolled in free/reduced-price school meals by June 30 or attends a school where all kids get free school meals, families are eligible for P-EBT.
How to apply for P-EBT
If you are eligible for P-EBT, complete a simple application at www.washingtonconnection.org or apply by phone through the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) at 877-501-2233. A P-EBT card will be mailed to your home.
P-EBT Webinar
The Anti-Hunger & Nutrition Coalition and OSPI are hosting a webinar on Monday, June 15 from 1 to 2 p.m. The webinar will cover which families with kids are eligible for P-EBT, how the program works, and how you can ensure your family gets this critical food benefit.
CLICK HERE to register for this Zoom webinar or join by phone at 1 p.m. on Monday by calling 1-253-215-8782.
More Resources
Department of Social and Health Services
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