Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) is a federal program designed to provide food support to families with children who were receiving free and reduced-price school meals and missed school because of Covid-19 isolation or quarantine.
The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), in collaboration with the Department of Human Services (DHS), received approval to operate this program in response to the Covid 19-related school closures for the 2021-22 school year. The program is designed to help families cover the cost of food for students who missed school for pandemic-related reasons.
To be eligible a student must meet both of the following criteria:
- The student must have applied for, and qualified for, free and reduced-priced meals
AND
- The student must have missed school due to Covid-19 isolation or quarantine
Families can apply for P-EBT benefits here. Applications must be received by Friday, July 29.
The anticipated timeline for the project is as follows:
- June 23, 2022-July 29, 2022 – Households complete the application process and submit forms to the district
- July 29, 2022-August 12, 2022 – Districts to consolidate collected student information and submit spreadsheet to DESE
Applications will also be available at the Marion School District Central Office at 200 Manor Street. For more information, contact Carissa Lacy, director of student services, at 870-739-5100.