(Seguin) — The Seguin ISD is doing its part to ensure that families who need access to food, get it. The district is encouraging its families to see if they are eligible to receive P-EBT benefits that can be used to buy food from any retailer that accepts the Lone Star Card.
Texas families who relied on the Pandemic EBT card which last year provided a one time benefit of $285 for students receiving free or reduced price meals can apply for another round of food aid. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission would allocate more than $2.5 billion in food benefits to all eligible families. This time, the benefit could provide up to $1,200 per student depending on the number of days most students at their school received remote instruction during the past school year.
Sean Hoffmann, the chief communications officer for the Seguin ISD, says enrolled students (up to 21 years of age) in families that temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals for the 2020-2021 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible to receive the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT).
“The Texas Department of Agriculture has notified all Texas public schools and is hoping that school districts share information that enrolls students and families that temporarily lost access to free or reduced priced meals in their schools during this past school year 2020-2021 due to COVID-19 might be eligible to receive Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer and these benefits can be used to buy food from any retailer that accepts the Lone Star card. So, the application process is now open through Aug. 13 so essentially parents should go online and visit texas.gov/pebt and review the information and see if they are eligible and if they can apply and receive this benefit,” said Hoffmann.
The Ag Department issued notification about the program to districts who fell into the following categories.
The district had children who are certified for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). It has children who attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) or Provision 2 (P2) school that offers free meals to all students which does include the Seguin ISD. The district also had children born after Aug. 1, 2014, and had families that received SNAP benefits for at least one month between October 2020 and June 2021.
Hoffmann says when it comes to these qualifications, many Seguin ISD families would qualify for assistance. He says that’s why it’s, again, very important that families give it a try.
“Really this program is designated or designed to assist families whose children are certified for free or reduced meals through the National School Lunch Program. That would really affect our Seguin High School students because our other students are covered under the Community Eligibility Provision because our elementary and middle schools offer free meals to all students. So, again, this program would benefit those families of students who attend Seguin ISD elementary and middle schools so they should again visit texas.gov/pebt. Look for the information on the P-EBT Program. It doesn’t hurt to apply and receive benefits if it’s going to benefit your family,” said Hoffmann.
The P-EBT application is now open. Visit yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/PEBT to apply. Those with questions may also call the P-EBT Call Center at 833-442-1255, Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.