Austin ISD encourages eligible families to apply to receive additional food benefits

The online application for the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer is now open for eligible Austin ISD families.

The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program could provide Austin ISD families a one-time benefit for eligible families to buy food. Families could receive up to $285 per child, which can be used in the same way as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits to pay for groceries.

Families must meet at least one of the following criteria to be eligible for the benefits.

• Children who are certified for free or reduced-price school meals during the 2019-20 Texas school year.

• Children who attend a school that offers free meals to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision program.  See the full list of Community Eligibility Provision schools here.

• Children who received SNAP food benefits for March 2020.

This program is intended to provide food security for families, in addition to the free meals offered at district meal sites. P-EBT is a coordinated effort by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Department of Agriculture, and Texas Education Agency.

The application link and criteria to see if families need to apply to receive these benefits are provided below.

Families that DID NOT get SNAP benefits for the month of March 2020

• Families will need to apply.

• Families can fill out an application on the P-EBT website.

• The application is open until June 30, 2020.

• If the family does not currently get SNAP benefits and their child is approved for P-EBT, they will be mailed a P-EBT card loaded with benefits. 

Families that DID get SNAP benefits for the month of March 2020

• Families do not need to apply for children ages 5-18. Benefits were loaded onto their existing SNAP card by May 22. 

• If families have children under 5 and/or between the ages of 19 and 21, they will need to fill out an application for those children. Families can fill out an application on the P-EBT website.

• If families get SNAP benefits and their child is approved for P-EBT, funds will be put on their current Lone Star Card. 

The application will be open June 1-30, and applications will be verified by Texas Health and Human Services to ensure applicants are eligible. Once the application is approved, benefits will be issued. If a family gets SNAP benefits, P-EBT funds will be loaded onto their current Lone Star Card. If they do not currently get SNAP benefits, a P-EBT card loaded with benefits will be mailed to them. 

P-EBT benefits can be used wherever SNAP food benefits are accepted. Families can use their P-EBT card like a debit card. The benefits can be used for up to one year from the date of issuance. P-EBT benefits are in addition to SNAP benefits, grab and go school meals and other nutrition resources. Receiving P-EBT will not affect a family's ability to get other benefits.

Please refer to the "How to Apply for P-EBT" handout for information about the application process and what families will need to provide, or visit hhs.texas.gov/PEBT.