For Immediate Release: Louisiana Reopens Pandemic EBT Application, Giving Families Until September 29th to Apply for Grocery Benefits
Date: September 8, 2020
Contact: Johanna Elsemore at jelsemore@strength.org
New Orleans, LA – Louisiana has reopened its 2019-2020 application for Pandemic EBT, a short-term benefit that can help eligible families afford healthy food during the coronavirus pandemic. All families with children who were enrolled in free or reduced-price school meals during the 2019-20 school year and that did not receive benefits during the initial application window are eligible for P-EBT and have until September 29th to apply.
In Louisiana, more than 450,000 kids rely on the free and reduced-price meals they receive at school. P-EBT ensures these students don’t lose access to an important source of nutrition while schools are closed by providing the value of school breakfasts and lunches – $5.70 a day – on an Electronic Benefits Transfer card that can be used at grocery stores. These one-time benefits, which total up to $285 per child, cover the 50 school days from the onset of statewide school closures in March through the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
“Louisianans have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, which has created both a health and an economic crisis in our state – and now in some parishes Hurricane Laura has devastated many of the same families,” said No Kid Hungry Louisiana Director Rhonda Jackson. “Pandemic EBT can help families stretch their grocery budgets and keep kids nourished during these difficult times.”
“Child hunger has spiked in Louisiana during the pandemic,” said Danny Mintz, Anti-Hunger Policy Advocate at the Louisiana Budget Project. “By putting grocery money directly into the pockets of families with children, P-EBT has helped hundreds of thousands of children eat better despite their families’ struggles. Now, thanks to Louisiana’s decision to re-open the application more than a quarter-million more kids will have a new chance to access this important source of food assistance.”
The families of approximately 264,111 eligible students across the state did not receive P-EBT benefits during the initial application window in May and June. This second application period gives these families another opportunity to receive this important benefit.
Receiving P-EBT benefits does not impact a parent or child’s immigration status. The public charge rule does not apply to P-EBT benefits. Families in 16 parishes across the state most heavily impacted by Hurricane Laura are eligible for additional benefits through Disaster SNAP.
To find more information and the P-EBT application, visit http://www.dcfs.la.gov/pebt.
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