The Pandemic-Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) is only for enrolled public school students where the National School Lunch Program is served. Even though our students are receiving free meals through the Summer Food Service Program, they are still eligible to receive P-EBT for those days when they should have been in school but were virtual. The card (if new) will be mailed to the address in Infinite Campus or in some cases, it has been mailed to the address of the person who originally signed up for F/R benefits, for Medicaid, or SNAP.
The first round of P-EBT benefits will begin to be distributed to students this week. The first issuance will cover the payment for October 2020 and the second issuance will occur the week of March 22nd to cover the payment for November 2020. Please continue to reference the P-EBT FAQs that includes the full issuance schedule. HCPS Food Service will continue to process free and reduced lunch applications for students who are newly identified as eligible for the remainder of the school year. Please direct all families to call 1-855-306-8959 with any questions about the P-EBT benefits. See below for more information from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services who are distributing and managing the benefits. The only part HCPS Food Service plays is in the approval of free/reduced meals which make public school students P-EBT eligible.
Family Support
New The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Stimulus
Effects on traditional school schedules and learning methods due to the COVID-19 state of emergency led to the loss of free and reduced-price school meals for many Kentucky children. These children now can receive P-EBT for October 2020 through the end of the current school year with the continuation of a program jointly offered by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) provides a card families can use to buy food to replace free school meals for students participating in virtual learning for five or more days. Enrollment is automatic for children eligible to receive free or reduced-price school meals at schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (HCPS) and for all students in Community Eligible Program schools (not HCPS).
Households already receiving SNAP benefits will be issued P-EBT benefits on the head-of-household’s existing EBT card for all eligible children. Students who do not receive SNAP benefits will receive P-EBT benefits on the previously issued card. If a student never has received P-EBT stimulus benefits, a new card will be mailed to the address on file with their school.
More information on eligibility and program benefits:
Kentucky Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Transferencia Electrónica de Beneficios de Kentucky por la Pandemia