New $1 billion program to help Texas families with kids afford groceries

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Feeding Texas applauded USDA's approval of a $1 billion state plan to help some Texas families buy groceries during the health crisis. Households containing children up to 21 years old who received free or low-cost lunch at school this year will be eligible for the new Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program.

• Families will receive a onetime benefit of approximately $285 per eligible child.

• Families currently participating in SNAP with kids ages 5-18 will have the benefits added to their Lonestar cards by May 22. No application is needed.

• Families on SNAP with kids under age 5 or ages 19-21, and families that are not on SNAP will receive a letter from their school district by May 31 with instructions to enroll in P-EBT via a simple, online application. After enrolling online, families will receive an EBT card with those benefits as soon as their applications are processed.

• Getting this one-time benefit will not affect a family's eligibility for other benefits.

• P-EBT is available to families regardless of immigration status. Getting this one-time benefit will not keep a family member from getting a green card.

"We encourage all eligible families to take advantage of this one-time benefit to help them put food on the table," said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas. "Feeding Texas will be working with food banks, schools, social workers and community leaders to inform families about their eligibility for P-EBT and how to enroll."

Texas is the 23rd state to gain access to the P-EBT program, which was created by Congress to help families whose children usually receive school lunch afford enough food during the pandemic.

"Good grades and good nutrition go hand in hand," said Cole. "If we want Texas children to go back to school in the fall nourished and ready to learn, we need to make sure everyone can afford to eat throughout this health and economic crisis."

Learn more about the P-EBT program at <hhs.texas. gov/pebt>.

Feeding Texas leads a unified effort for a hunger-free Texas.

www.feedingtexas.org