Benefits to aid food needs of kids
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Ohio’s pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program that will help families with children who have gone without meals due to school being closed.
About 850,000 Ohio children who receive free or reduced-price meals at school will soon receive money to buy food through the P-EBT program, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (OD JFS) announced Tuesday.
Ohio is among 20 states participating in the new initiative that was authorized by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump on March 18.
OD JFS worked with the Ohio Department of Education to submit Ohio’s plan, which just received federal approval.
“We know families are struggling right now, balancing work or career searches, distance learning, and caring for families,” said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. “Hopefully, this additional assistance will provide more choices for families.”
The P-EBT benefits may be added to the Ohio Direction cards of families that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Families that do not receive SNAP benefits will be sent
P-EBT cards with the onetime benefit added. No application is needed. OD JFS estimates that it will issue $150.9 million to 506,953 children in SNAP households and $103.6 million to 343,047 children in non-SNAP households.
“Food budgets have been stretched thin as a result of the pandemic,” explained OD JFS Director, Kimberly Hall. “We are grateful to be able to provide this extra help to families, especially since some children may not be able to access emergency school or community meal locations.”
Individuals may qualify for SNAP if their household’s gross monthly income is at or under 130% of the federal poverty guidelines. Ohioans can apply at benefits.ohio.gov.
Benefits can be used to buy most food products, with the exception of alcoholic beverages, vitamins and/or medicines, and hot food made to be eaten immediately, including prepared food from grocery stores and restaurants, according to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria.
“Our highest priority continues to be ensuring the health and safety of students,” DeMaria said. “While many schools continue to offer meal services, this EBT opportunity will add one more option for families and caregivers to make sure students are getting the nutrition they need.”