Special EBT Cards Helping Families Struggling Financially During Pandemic

Local families struggling financially because of the pandemic are getting some help from the federal government. The Minnesota Department of Human Services recently issued pandemic electronic benefit transfer cards, also known as P-EBT, to families with children.

“We’ve sent out cards to 230,000 children, totaling about $113 million,” said Tikki Brown, Economic Opportunity and Nutrition Assistance Director.

Students who are on free or reduced lunch during the school year, and are in distance learning, can use the cards to buy food that would typically be supplied at school. The cards work just like an EBT card. Money is loaded each month to buy groceries. How much money you get each month depends on what learning model your school is using.

Minnesota Department of Human Services recently issued P-EBT cards to students who receive free or reduced lunch at school.

“If you’re a child and you were completely distance learning, you would receive about $130 a month. If you were in a hybrid school where you were partially at home and partially at school, the average is $75,” explained Brown.

In addition, their school must meet specific requirements for each month of benefits. Qualifying students receive monthly benefits when the school reports distance learning for most of the month or when the school is doing hybrid learning for a majority of the month, or the student chooses distance learning for at least 11 days in a month.

Contact your school district or the Minnesota Department of Human Services if you haven’t received your card. The program runs through June 10th.

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