The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP has adapted its allotment depending on the financial situation. Take for example the emergency allotment during the pandemic. It was essential to allow families to overcome the unprecedented lack of work due to the lockdown. P-EBT was also useful.
P-EBT allow families to receive money for their school children during the summer. In this way, they could buy food if they have a low income. Many children ate at school, but if school closes in summer, they may not be fed properly. That is why their families receive money on their SNAP EBT cards to afford it.
During the summer, food expenses can increase quite a lot, especially if you have several school children. However, this money came in the form of an emergency due to the pandemic. As the health emergency declaration will soon be over, on May 11, 2023, these extra SNAP benefits may come to an end.
Will states carry on sending P-EBT benefits to SNAP beneficiaries with school children?
Yes, this additional money for SNAP beneficiaries who have school children may continue in some places. It will only be for those children who go to an NSLP-participating school in 2022-2023. NSLP stands for the National School Lunch Program. It is funded by the federal government to provide them with balanced meals.
These nutritious or healthy meals can be either free or low-cost. By doing so, the government makes sure they can grow healthy and have the same opportunities to focus on their studies as other school children. The Food and Nutrition Service is in charge of both, SNAP and NSLP.
How many states will carry on sending P-EBT for school children receiving Food Stamps?
Last July 11, 2022, there were 27 states who took part in this program to issue child food benefits for summer through SNAP. They agreed to do so in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture. Puerto Rico is also included in this agreement. USDA wants to help families tackle their lack of resources for food.
In fact, there will be more than 13 million children who can benefit from this measure. Therefore, it is great news to fight food insecurity in the case of vulnerable children. The rising cost of food is something to worry about this summer. Despite the fact that only 27 states and territories started, some others have joined to send money to SNAP beneficiaries. You can see the full list below.
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Colorado
District of Columbia
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming