Important News
Families under free or Reduced lunch
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT): Emergency School Meals Program
Dear parents,
I hope you are all doing great. I know this pandemic may have caused hardships on many of you. Pandemic-Ebt Emergency Meals Schools Program is a food benefits program that will assist families with children who receive free/reduced lunch. PLEASE READ this newsletter carefully as there are attachments at the bottom of this newsletter that contain information on how and where you can apply for the program. For more information visit K12.WA.US/PEBT. I do apologize as this information is only available in English. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me. Have a wonderful day and stay well!
Some information to start with...
Pandemic EBT Guidance for School Districts
Due to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school will get extra food benefits. These food benefits are called Pandemic EBT (P-EBT): Emergency School Lunch Program, or P-EBT benefits. P-EBT benefits help families in Washington buy food when school is closed.
Who can receive P-EBT?
Students enrolled in a K-12 school that offers a school lunch program during the normal school year AND
Is eligible for free or reduced-price school meals OR
Is attending a school where meals are free for all students such as a Provision 2 or Community Eligibility Provision School.
Applications for P-EBT must be completed by August 31st or before the start of the 2020-2021 school year– whichever is later.
If you need help understanding your eligibility or how to apply for benefits, see the Frequently Asked Questions at k12.wa.us/PEBT or call Department of Social and Health Services at 877-501-2233. Yes. Using P-EBT benefits does not count as a public charge.
P-EBT does not change a parent or child’s immigration status. P-EBT replaces school meals and are for all families that receive free and reduced-price school meals. For children who received free or reduced-price meals when schools closed in March, each family will get $399 per child. For families that enrolled in Basic Food or applied for school meal benefits after schools closed, each child will get less than that. The value depends on when you applied for food assistance.