State will get feds’ OK to problem one other $167 million in pandemic-related children’ meals advantages

SALEM, Oregon (KTVZ) – The state of Oregon has received federal government approval to expand the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program and provide $ 167 million in additional food aid to approximately 430,000 Oregon children.

Oregon had previously been approved to provide approximately $ 424 million in food benefits to children in Oregon. Combined with the program’s summer expansion, Oregon will provide approximately $ 591 million in food aid to children from July through October 2021.

P-EBT provides grocery services to families whose children were entitled to free or discounted meals at school or daycare but were unable to access these free meals due to the COVID-19 closings.

Children currently receiving P-EBT benefits for the 2020-2021 school year will automatically receive an additional US $ 389 per child in food aid, which will be paid in two payments in September and October.

Entitlement to additional P-EBT food aid

• Pupils who are entitled to P-EBT benefits for the 2020-2021 school year will receive additional P-EBT nutritional allowances in summer 2021. An application is not required.
• Children under the age of six whose families are participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) will receive P-EBT food aid for the summer of 2021. An application is not required.
• If your child has not submitted and approved an application for free or discounted meals at school, you can still get P-EBT Summer Nutrition Assistance if you can Apply online to the Oregon Department of Education website until September 4th.

Two Ways Children Can Get P-EBT Nutritional Aid

There are two ways that children can receive benefits:

• If the child’s household is currently participating in SNAP or TANF, their P-EBT benefits will be paid into the household’s EBT account.
• Children who already have a P-EBT card will continue to receive food aid on their current card.
• Children who are new to the P-EBT program and whose household does not participate in SNAP or TANF will receive a P-EBT card by post to the address on file with their school.

P-EBT cards look different than the Oregon Trail EBT cards issued to SNAP households.

Visit pebt.oregon.gov for more information on the P-EBT program.

P-EBT is not a substitute for any existing child nutrition program and families are encouraged to continue participating in meal programs in their communities.

P-EBT is segregated from SNAP benefits, including emergency grants, which are also issued due to the effects of COVID-19. P-EBT services are not taken into account in a public fee test.

Resources to meet basic needs

About SNAP

SNAP is managed by ODHS and is a federal program that provides food to approximately 1 million eligible families and low-income individuals in Oregon, including many older adults and people with disabilities. Oregonians in need can claim benefits such as SNAP, childcare, cash benefits, and Medicaid. Learn more at https://govstatus.egov.com/or-dhs-benefits. For local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, please call 2-1-1 or contact the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-855-ORE-ADRC or 1-855- 673-2372.

Via the Oregon Department of Education

The Oregon Department of Education promotes equal opportunity and excellence for every learner through working with educators, partners, and communities. ODE oversees the education of over 560,000 students in Oregon’s K-12 public education system. Although ODE does not operate directly in the classroom and provide services, the agency (along with the State Board) focuses on helping districts achieve both local and statewide goals and priorities through strategies such as:

• Development of guidelines and standards
• Providing accurate and timely data for briefing
• Training teachers to use data effectively
• Effective management of numerous state and federal grants
• Exchange and support the districts in the implementation of best practices