AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF News) – Texas families who rely on free or discounted school meals to help feed their children now have access to some relief.
Governor Greg Abbott announced Texas got federal approval to replace the value of the meals program that went by the wayside when schools shutdown, impacting 3.6 million children.
The $1 billion fund from the federal Pandemic Electronic Benefit Program allows families to get a one-time $285 credit per child to use at grocery stores.
The benefit can be used in the same way as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.
Families with children age 5 to 18 who received SNAP food benefits for the month of March, when schools first closed, will automatically receive P-EBT on their current Lone Star Card by May 22nd.
Governor Abbott thanked the U.S. Department of Agriculture for acting quickly to provide funding to families in need.
“This program will expand access to healthy and nutritious food to families and children in need as the state continues to respond to COVID-19,” he said.
P-EBT will be administered by a joint effort from the HHSC, the Texas Department of Agriculture and Texas Education Agency.
Click here for more information or to apply.
.@TexasHHSC has received approval from @USDA to provide more than $1B in food benefits through the federal Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program to families w/ children who temporarily lost access to free or discounted school meals due to #COVID19. https://t.co/Vo71hn49hr pic.twitter.com/N5bV2rL1V2
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) May 12, 2020
Copyright 2020. WBAP/KLIF News. All Rights Reserved.
