THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2021 Page 5 Mass. 1st in nation to get OK for federal Pandemic-EBT funds extension for local families Everett, Malden, Revere and Saugus families will receive additional help against food insecurity $253 million in federal dollars have gone to supporting Massachusetts families through the nutritional assistance program. P-EBT can be used anywhere Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefi ts are accepted, including online from Amazon and Walmart. By Steve Freker T here was some good news this week for thousands of Massachusetts families, including many of those in Everett, Malden, Revere and Saugus struggling with the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Many local families with schoolaged children will be among the fi rst in the nation to receive extra fi nancial assistance to combat food insecurity. State officials have announced that federal funding has been approved to continue the Pandemic-Electronic Benefi ts Transfer (P-EBT) program through the end of the 2020-21 school year. In Malden, Everett and Revere, for instance, all families who have public school students in their households are eligible for PEBT funds for the 2020-21 school year to help buy food. The funds that will be dispensed through the state-run program, using federal funds, are restricted to food purchases. Saugus families should check with local offi cials regarding P-EBT funds eligibility. The primary determining factor is if students are attending schools who benefit from the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP). How much will families receive? Families of students in a fully remote learning situation will get $117.20 per month. Students in a hybrid learning situation will get $58.60 per month. Students attending school either half-day or fully in person are not eligible for P-EBT. Massachusetts received federal approval to issue P-EBT through the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year. The Bay State is the fi rst in the nation to receive approval for the federal dollars. “COVID-19 has exacerbated food insecurity, especially for children who receive nutrition support in school settings. This remains a signifi cant challenge for many families throughout the Commonwealth,” Secretary of Health and Human Services and COVID-19 Command Center Director Marylou Sudders said in a statement. “Massachusetts continues to maximize every opportunity to tackle food insecurity across the state. The rapid approval of our plan to issue P-EBT through the end of the school year will provide relief to hundreds of thousands of families across the state for many months as we continue to navigate this public health crisis.” P-EBT is a relief program created out of the CARES Act for families whose children qualify for free and reduced lunch. The program was launched in Massachusetts in April to help low-income families across the state cover the cost of missed school meals while their children learn remotely. It was extended in September to support students starting the school year remotely. In Massachusetts, about half of all families – more than 500,000 students – qualify for free or reduced-priced breakfast and lunch. Parents and guardians who already receive benefi ts will get their P-EBT funds on their existing EBT card. Families who do not receive benefi ts from the Department of Transitional Assistance, but received a P-EBT card this year, will get their P-EBT funds on their existing P-EBT card. Newly eligible students will receive their P-EBT funds on their existing card if their families already receive benefi ts, or the students will be mailed a P-EBT card if they do not. Families who lost their PEBT card can request a new one. Going forward, the benefit will be given to families monthly through the end of the 20202021 school year using $40-$60 million in federal funds each month. Altogether, more than RevereTV Spotlight H appy New Year! The year 2021 brings new hope for RevereTV as it begins with a fully functioning new studio just waiting for community members! Last year was the big move from Broadway to Washington Avenue accompanied by widespread hardship, and although the staff kept things moving, the studio was isolated and rather empty. RevereTV is excited for all that this New Year will bring once it can be completely open to the public. Stay tuned for that offi cial date. Until then, RTV will continue to operate fully, but safely, for public meeting coverage and partially for community member use. Some new programming was recorded during the last few weeks and is now airing on the RTV community channel. This channel is 8 and 1072 on Comcast and 3 and 614 on RCN. Revere Recreation held virtual art classes for kids through the month of December which were conducted in the RTV studio with students attending via Zoom. These classes include step-by-step drawing instructions of cartoon characters, like SpongeBob and Donald Duck. This short series was recorded and is called “That’s Sketchy” on the channel. It plays at various times throughout the day on weekdays. Revere’s new Director of the Department of Public Health, Lauren Buck, is starting a program called “Focus on Health.” This show will air at 5 p.m. every weekday, but also on some weekday mornings. “Focus on Health” will feature Buck and relevant guests in an interview-style setup where health topics are discussed. The fi rst episode was about substance abuse and recovery during the pandemic. Tune in to the RevereTV community channel to watch the latest or head to the RTV YouTube page to access a recording at any time. Revere’s local government meetings suspended for the holidays, but they all start up again this week. Tune in live to RTV channel 9 on Comcast and 13 or 613 on RCN to watch. All meetings are also livestreamed to RevereTV’s YouTube and Facebook. Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 Many families eligible for P-EBT may also be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and are encouraged to apply. In addition to P-EBT, all local communities are offered free “grab and go” in connection with local public schools.
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