Kids Will Still Get Food Assistance Through School Year, Officials Announce

Children who typically get free or reduced lunches will continue to receive assistance through the end of the school year.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services announced in a press release Tuesday (January 19) that its office received approval to provide additional food benefits through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT).

Those payments will help children who normally get free and reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program, but who attended school virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services stated in the release.

“Because accessing nutritious food is critical during the pandemic, we are thrilled to help Ohio families alleviate a major source of stress during these unprecedented times,” Director Kimberly Henderson said the release.

About 870,000 children benefitted from about $260 million in P-EBT funds last spring, and about 510,000 children benefitted from about $59 million in the fall, based on the consecutive days of virtual instruction, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

“When possible, P-EBT benefits are added to the existing Ohio Direction cards of families that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits,” the release added. “Other eligible families will receive a P-EBT card with the benefit already added. No application is needed.”

Eligible Ohioans can apply for benefits at benefits.ohio.gov.

Photo: Getty Images


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