By Emily Scarvie
(SALEM, Ore.) Oregon will receive $550 million from the federal government through the Pandemic EBT Program to provide food assistance to around 572,000 children, FOX 12 reports.
According to the Oregon Department of Human Services, the funding will provide benefits for families whose children would usually utilize the free or reduced-cost lunches at schools, but currently do not have access. For eligible students, the benefits will be retroactive for the 2020-2021 academic year, and are expected to be issued in July.
“P-EBT benefits will significantly support the food security, health and well-being of children and families across Oregon,” Dan Haun, director of the Oregon Department of Human Services Self-Sufficiency Programs, said. “Still, many Oregonians are struggling to meet their basic needs. We encourage them to contact our partners at 211 and the Oregon Food Bank.”
Cindy Hunt, the Chief of Staff at Oregon Department of Education, said, “All children deserve access to adequate nutrition to fuel their learning. The Oregon Department of Education is happy to be partnering with ODHS and local school districts to meet the nutrition needs of Oregon’s children and families who were most impacted by the pandemic.”
DHS said families don’t need to apply for P-EBT, as the benefits will be automatically applied to students who normally have access to free and reduced-cost lunches. Any families with children not currently registered for free or reduced-cost lunches can apply here.
To learn more about P-EBT, visit pebt.oregon.gov.