(TheDailyCurrents.com) – According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 32 million children in 42 states and territories benefited from an estimated $12.5 billion in temporary nutrition benefits. This program provides food benefits to school-going children on the NSLP program during the days they missed school due to the pandemic. However, on January 30, 2023, the President Joe Biden administration announced that the pandemic-related public health emergency (PHE) will be coming to a halt on May 11, 2023. This means that children under six in families on SNAP will no longer be eligible for P-EBT benefits. Some have been approved to operate a P-EBT program during the summer of 2023, while some have been approved to operate a P-EBT program during the school year 2022-23 or both. These are some states that are offering P-EBT benefits for 2023:

Virginia

Each eligible school-aged child will receive $120 multiplied by the number of children in the household. The eligible beneficiaries are children approved or just approved for reduced-price or free meals during 2022-2023 SY. Children who attended a school that participated in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) during the 2022-23 school year. Virginia denies summer P-EBT benefits to children whose school was not participating in the NSLP at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

Indiana

Between January and May, the issuance of summer P-EBT benefits in Indiana is scheduled for June 2023 and May 2023 for in-person and virtual students, respectively. The benefits are issued to students enrolled in an Indiana school under NSLP that has since been closed, has a delayed start, or has a learning model where a student is sometimes learning virtually. Each student is entitled to $8.18 per day missed due to COVID-19-related issues. Students attending in-person schools are not eligible for P-EBT benefits in Indiana.

Minnesota

The Minnesota P-EBT portal is open for applications until May 1, 2023, at 4 p.m. Schools are advised to enter the student’s updated address to ship the P-EBT card. Virtual/ homeschooled students are unavailable for Summer 2023 P-EBT unless enrolled after the pandemic. No data past summer P-EBT or school year can be submitted.

Ohio

The traditional “brick and mortar” schools are not required to make an application. Application for P-EBT benefits is available on the Ohio P-EBT portal from February 20, 2023, to May 31, 2023. Applications must be considered before the deadline. If a child is a beneficiary of either SNAP or Ohio Works First (OWF), they are eligible for P-EBT. Each child will get $147.24 monthly on a card registered in the child’s name. Siblings will also get individual cards. ODJFS and ODE will verify homeschooled children for eligibility.

North Carolina

Students who are part of their school’s free or reduced-priced meals are automatically eligible for summer P-EBT. They must attend school in person. Each student will receive $120 in July paid to cards of FNS or P-EBT beneficiaries. New participants have until May 1 to submit their applications and will later get their cards in their mail by May 31. Applications are open through both FNS and the local Department of Social Services. Families are advised to send “COMIDA” or “FOOD” TO 304-304 to find a nearby site with free meals for kids during the summer months.

Bottom line

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Food and Nutritional Service (FNS), ensures every eligible American has access to proper nutrition. The Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) is ending in May. However, other federal food programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) are still ongoing. Check whether you are eligible to enjoy the benefits.

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