Families Encouraged to Sign Up for EBT Program

BEFORE SEPTEMBER 23^RD

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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More than 200,000 Colorado children have not been enrolled in a food-assistance program that would pay up to $279 to parents per child. Max Young, SNAP education and outreach administrator for the Colorado Department of Human Services, said the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer, or P-EBT, program, is meant to help pay for meals children would have received at school during coronavirus-related closures.

“The benefit is not meant to impact any other benefit that families might be receiving from the state, but really meant to help families where they are right now to navigate the waters of this pandemic,” Young said. She said the benefit can be received in addition to SNAP (formerly known as the Food Stamps Program) as well as food pantries or any other assistance.

Benefits

P-EBT benefits come in a debit-like card that can be used to buy food-related items at most grocery stores and many farmer’s markets. Young said that if a child attends a school offering free or reduced-priced meals through the National School Lunch Program, they are eligible regardless of a family’s immigration status. P-EBT benefits will not impact Public Charge determination.

Parents will have to provide their child’s ten-digit state-issued I-D number, which can be different from their regular school I-D. Young recommends that families contact their school district before applying. She also mentioned that if schools do not open soon, more help will be needed to ensure families can continue to provide nutritious meals for students at home. Registration for P-EBT will end on September 23^rd. 

To register, please visit:

https://coloradopeak.secure.force.com/PEBT

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