GREAT FALLS — The Department of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS) will situation Pandemic Electronic Transfer (P-EBT) advantages to eligible households whose youngsters misplaced entry to free or decreased priced meals from October 2020 to the top of this college 12 months because of the COVID-19 public well being emergency. DPHHS estimates this issuance will profit roughly 15,000 youngsters.
School districts will submit every college students’ month-to-month studying modes, comparable to totally digital, totally in-person, or hybrid schedule from October 2020 by the top of the varsity 12 months.
DPHHS plans to situation the primary of two incremental funds to eligible households for October by February throughout the week of May 17.
It’s estimated that month-to-month profit quantities for this allocation will vary from month-to-month quantities of $68 to $116.
A second cost to households will likely be made in June that can cowl March by the top of the varsity 12 months. Benefit quantities for this allocation haven’t but been decided.
Payments will likely be made to households by the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT card system to present SNAP households and non-SNAP households with eligible youngsters.
All eligible households will likely be issued a brand new EBT card particularly for the P-EBT program no matter in the event that they already obtain SNAP. Eligible households in June will obtain further P-EBT advantages on this similar card. The advantages can be utilized at any location that accepts SNAP/EBT playing cards.
DPHHS Director Adam Meier stated the federal authorities has lately authorized Montana’s plan to proceed the momentary help program. DPHHS first issued P-EBT advantages in 2020. During the week of May 17, eligible households will obtain a discover from DPHHS concerning the P-EBT program, and inside just a few days of the discover the family will obtain a P-EBT card.
Families don’t want to use for this profit as DPHHS will use month-to-month attendance info supplied by colleges to find out youngsters eligible for this system.
“Montana households have confronted quite a few challenges over the previous 12 months,” Meier stated. “This has been a really profitable program, and we’re happy to companion with OPI as soon as once more to offer this help.”
The Office of Public Instruction’s (OPI) School Nutrition employees is working with DPHHS to attach eligible households to this system. “Our colleges and households have completed an unbelievable job adjusting to the twists and turns thrown their manner because of the pandemic, and this partnership will assist them give attention to the well-being of our youngsters,” stated Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen. “OPI will work diligently with DPHHS to make sure that this program is carried out in an environment friendly and clear method.”
Children are eligible if they might have acquired free or decreased value meals if not for the assorted instructional modes carried out over the previous college 12 months. Eligibility for P-EBT advantages will likely be decided on a month-to-month foundation again to October, and are primarily based on the varsity and youngster’s circumstance for that exact month. To be eligible, a baby’s college should take part within the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
The P-EBT program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The federal funding for the present 2020-21 college 12 months P-EBT issuance will not be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). However, further P-EBT funding was made accessible to states for the upcoming summer time by ARPA. During the primary cost issuance in 2020, a complete of $21 million was issued to learn over 64,000 Montana youngsters for misplaced college days throughout the 2019-20 college 12 months.
People with questions can name 1-888-706-1535, e-mail [email protected]., or go to MontanaMeals.org.
