Thousands of Ohio children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals at school will soon receive money to buy food through the Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program. This funding was made possible by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) recently received federal approval to issue a second round of benefits for children enrolled in schools operating fully remotely or with a hybrid remote/in-person model.

ODJFS is working with the Ohio Department of Education and local school districts to identify all eligible children. Children participating in remote learning for at least five consecutive days between the dates Aug. 1 and Sept. 30, 2020, who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals qualify.

As with the benefits issued last spring, the P-EBT benefits will be added to the Ohio Direction cards of families that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (estimated $175/child on September 25th). Individuals may qualify for SNAP if their household’s gross monthly income is at or under 130% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Families that do not receive SNAP benefits will be sent P-EBT cards in early October with the one-time benefit added. No application is needed.