HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The families of nearly 220,000 Connecticut children who are eligible for the free or reduced-price school meals program will receive additional food assistance benefits in April because of the pandemic.
The state Department of Social Services and Department of Education announced Friday that $88.6 million will be available through the federal “Pandemic EBT” or P-EBT program to help ensure eligible children in pre-kindergarten through high school can purchase food when they’re learning from home or in hybrid schooling.
The food benefits will be deposited on April 11 in the electronic benefit transfer accounts of about 59,500 households, which include 101,187 children, that are currently enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. An additional 586 households, with 997 children, that are enrolled in the Temporary Family Assistance Program but not currently enrolled in SNAP will also receive the additional benefits.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Services will mail EBT cards to about 69,600 households, with 117,486 children, not currently enrolled in SNAP. The food benefits will be deposited into their new accounts on or about April 11. The cards can be used at any location that accepts SNAP/EBT cards, including farmers’ markets.
Families do not need to apply for P-EBT benefits. The departments will use attendance information provided by schools to determine whether children are eligible.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.