THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2021 Page 11 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 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 school-aged children will be among the first in the nation to receive extra financial assistance to combat food insecurity. State officials have announced that federal funding has been approved to continue the Pandemic-Electronic Benefits 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 P-EBT funds for the 2020-21 school year to help buy food. The funds that will be dispensed through the staterun program, using federal funds, are restricted to food purchases. Saugus families should check with local officials 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 first 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 significant 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 benefits will get their P-EBT funds on their existing EBT card. Families who do not receive benefits 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 benefits, or the students will be mailed a P-EBT card if they do not. Families who lost their P-EBT card can request a new one. Going forward, the benefit will be given to families monthly through the end of the 2020-2021 school year using $40-$60 million in federal funds each month. Altogether, more than $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) benefits are accepted, including online from Amazon and Walmart. 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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