Washington Expands EBT For Families Amid Pandemic

SEATTLE, WA — The state superintendent's office has announced a new plan to give more money to families who are struggling to afford food amid the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, or OSPI, schools and the Department of Social and Health Services have teamed up to create a new program called Pandemic EBT, or P-EBT. They say, a lot of families in Washington need support from schools to help feed their kids, but with schools closed they're having a hard time making ends meet.

“Many students rely on their school for nutritious meals during the day,” said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. “These benefits will help families most impacted by the COVID-19 crisis to continue to have access to nutritious meals.”

Most families who already have Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits will not need to apply to receive P-EBT. Others can apply for P-EBT here or by calling the DSHS Customer Service Contact Center at 877-501-2233 during regular work hours. Applications must be submitted by August 31, or the start of the next school year, depending on which comes later.

Those who are granted P-EBT benefits will receive a one-time payment of up to $399 per child in the household. The money will be put directly onto existing EBT cards starting in early July. Some families may receive less money depending on when they qualified for P-EBT or when they applied for free meals from their school district.

For answers to some frequently asked questions about Pandemic EBT, click here.