Tom Wolf asks for $1 billion in food stamps money to cover school meals

Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration is requesting the federal government to redirect over $1 billion in food stamps money in order to help families cover the cost of missed school meals.

According to wgal.com, the money would be directed to students who learned remotely this year and did not have access to free or reduced meals. The Wolf administration said that includes 928,000 students.

The first round of benefits would be given six weeks after approval. The second round would be distributed in July.

As stated by the Governor´s office, this program, known as Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT), will help families cover the cost of school meals their children would have been eligible to receive for free or at reduced price through the National School Lunch Program.

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“This pandemic has stretched millions of household budgets near or past the breaking point, illuminating the growing need for a robust social safety net. The extension of the P-EBT program will provide desperately needed relief to families with children across Pennsylvania and the country,” DHS Secretary Teresa Miller said. “We are committed to rolling out a P-EBT program equitably and as quickly as possible.”

School meals for 180 days

The plan reflects the cost of school meals for 180 days during the period of July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021. A child who attended school virtually each day would be eligible for $1,227.60 in total P-EBT benefits.

The law also required states to develop a plan for P-EBT benefits for eligible children who attended school in a blended learning model. The Wolf Administration’s plan is to issue benefits for blended model schools at a rate of 65 percent of the amount that a fully virtual student would receive.

Eligibility for P-EBT is determined by eligibility for the National School Lunch Program, so there is no need for families to apply separately for P-EBT. Pennsylvania families can apply for the National School Lunch Program at www.compass.state.pa.us or through their local school district.

For more information about food assistance resources for people around Pennsylvania impacted by COVID-19, visit the Department of Agriculture’s food security guide.