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North Carolina -- July 31, 2022: Benefits for Pandemic-EBT for summer 2022 have already started to be distributed by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
The families of over 948,000 kids in the state will each get a one-time payment of $391 between July 20 and July 30 to spend on wholesome meals for the summer vacation.
Since the COVID-19 response started in 2020, NCDHHS has now distributed more than $2.16 billion in P-EBT payments to North Carolina families, assisting them in providing food for the state's 1.48 million children.
Summer P-EBT is automatically available to kids who qualified for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program in May 2022.
"Kids need enough healthy food every day to grow, develop, and stay healthy, and that doesn’t change just because school is out for the summer," said NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. "Supporting children is a top priority and we are going to keep using every tool we have to support them and their families."
If eligible children qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program or the Food and Nutrition Services program by August 31, 2022, they will still be eligible to receive Summer P-EBT payments. Parents should get in touch with their child's school or school district to request free or reduced-cost lunches for their children. Visit here to submit an application for FNS. These families would get Summer P-EBT benefits in late September or early October if they were approved.
"Food fuels the body and mind for students to learn and grow both inside and out of the classroom," said Catherine Truitt, N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction. "While summer is about adventures and play, students need access to healthy meals to fuel their fun. I’m thankful we’ve been able to make such a difference to students and families through P-EBT."
Visit www.ncdhhs.gov/PEBT for additional details about P-EBT and how to apply. Families can use the new P-EBT eligibility questionnaire on the P-EBT website HERE (or HERE in Spanish) to determine whether they are eligible for the Summer P-EBT program.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved and funded the P-EBT temporary program, which is managed by the NC Department of Health and Human Services in collaboration with the NC Department of Public Instruction.
WNCTIMES by Marjorie Farrington
