SAN ANGELO, Texas — Children receiving lunch has always been a challenge, but with certain programs in place the challenge was not as hard.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, it has become more of a challenge for children to get free or reduced lunch, but the Texas Health and Human Services Commission has extended the deadline for the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer or P-EBT program.
P-EBT is for children 5-18 years old who received SNAP food benefits for March 2020, and children up to 21 years old who are certified for free or reduced-price meals at school in Texas during the 2019-2020 school year.
Texas Health and Human Services Associate Commissioner of Eligibility Bill D'Aiuto explains what the P-EBT is for families and what it costs.
"Provides eligible families with a one-time payment of $285 per child that is certified for free or reduced price meals," D'Aiuto said.
The way a family signs up is they should have received a letter which outlines the P-EBT program and an application link in the mail from the school. If the family did not receive there is a call and support center they can reach out to.
D'Aiuto said for families who might struggle to get to a computer with internet access or for families in the small towns there is still a way they can sign up.
"There is options for families to apply over the phone," D'Aiuto said. "They tell us so they don't have access to apply online, and we will take the application for them over the phone."
There is no cap on the number of children who can sign up for P-EBT. D'Aiuto has said more than three million have registered, and the families should take advantage of this opportunity.
"We've approved over $395 million," D'Aiuto said. "We are providing critical funding for these families to provide food for our children."
The deadline to fill out the P-EBT form is July 31. For more information, can call the P-EBT call center 833-613-6220.