Pandemic EBT: Temporary Food Benefits for Students for the 2020-2021 School Year
Due to school closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, families with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program will get temporary food benefits in place of the school meals for the 2020-2021 school year. This is referred to as Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer, more commonly known as EBT or P-EBT.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is automatically providing these benefits to most children who usually get free or reduced-price school meals. During the pandemic, the enrollment status for school-aged children across the state has varied from virtual, hybrid to in-person classroom structures. Therefore, the food benefits will vary from child to child and month to month.
How does someone qualify for Pandemic EBT?
- Children are eligible if they would have received free or reduced-price meals at their schools through the National School Lunch Program if not for the closure or reduced attendance or hours of their schools for a period of at least 5 consecutive days.
- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services will look at that information to make sure families are eligible for benefits. Therefore, it is very important that the information provided for each child in the household who usually gets free or reduced-price school meals exactly matches the information the school has on file.
- Please remind families to contact their school district and make sure the child’s meal records, mailing address and other contact information is current and accurate for the 2020-2021 school year.
How will benefits be provided?
- For existing FoodShare recipients, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services will verify a child’s information (i.e. eligible for free or reduced lunch and school enrollment status) and the benefits will automatically be provided on the recipient’s QUEST card.
- If families are not currently receiving FoodShare benefits, a P-EBT card will be sent directly to families in the mail. At which time, recipients will be able to use these cards like a debit card to buy food.
When should families expect to receive the Pandemic EBT benefits? How much will be the food benefit amount?
- Pandemic EBT food benefits will be distributed in three phases. Children who were enrolled and attended school from August 2020 – November 2020 will receive the food benefits on March 27th.
- The food benefit amount will be $6.85 per child per day.
Who can I contact for help?
- To learn more about the Pandemic EBT program and eligibility, please call Martha Collins with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin at: 1-414-831-6305.
- The FoodShare program was created to help people with limited money buy the food they need for good health. To ensure recipients receive the Pandemic EBT food benefits, please encourage people you are serving to apply for FoodShare by visiting: GetaQuestCard.org or for assistance by phone call the Feeding Wisconsin helpline at: 1-877-366-3635.
