06/25/2020
The Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) was approved by the USDA for students who receive free and reduced lunches. Since schools were closed in mid-March, the federal government is sending $285 on a P-EBT card. These are benefits students would have received in free meals at schools were it not canceled.
Since some school districts, like Houston ISD, have so many low-income students that qualify for the benefit, it is offered to every student, regardless of the family’s income. You must apply to receive the money.
“If you have a student who goes to an HISD school, you are eligible,” said Jarad Davis, HISD’s Director for Wrap Around Services. “Why? Because of a provision that we have, all HISD students receive free lunch. Regardless of your income, you’re eligible for this benefit. We don’t want anything to get in the way of you taking advantage of this benefit.”
The United States Department of Agriculture is sending many families nearly $300, regardless of their income. Think of it as a second stimulus, but you have to use the money to pay for groceries.