State Guidance on Coronavirus Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 provides the Secretary of Agriculture authority to approve state agency plans for temporary emergency standards of eligibility and levels of benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. Children who would receive free or reduced price meals under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act if not for the school closure are eligible under this provision. State agencies may submit plans in any case in which a school is closed for at least 5 consecutive days during a public health emergency designation during which the school would otherwise be in session.

The following states have been approved to operate a Pandemic EBT program.

State Plan for Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)

TO:	SNAP State Agencies Child Nutrition State Agencies
FROM:	Jessica Shahin Associate Administrator Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Kristen Hyatt Acting Deputy Administrator Child Nutrition Programs
DATE:	March 20, 2020

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 provides the Secretary of Agriculture authority to approve state agency plans for temporary emergency standards of eligibility and levels of benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. Children who would receive free or reduced price meals under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act if not for the school closure are eligible under this provision. State agencies may submit plans in any case in which a school is closed for at least 5 consecutive days during a public health emergency designation during which the school would otherwise be in session. The attached is guidance to state agencies on plan requirements in order to receive approval.

Please be advised that the contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies. Any questions should be directed to Angela Kline, Director, Policy and Program Development Division, Child Nutrition Programs, and Andrea Gold, Director, SNAP Retail Policy and Management Division.

Jessica Shahin Associate Administrator Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Kristen Hyatt Acting Deputy Administrator Child Nutrition Programs

Attachment

• State Plan for Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)

Resources

• Guidance for States on Pandemic EBT
• P-EBT Questions & Answers
• P-EBT/EA Reporting Questions & Answers