More school children get free meals

Wisconsin received U.S. Department of Agriculture approval, to offer the School Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (PEBT) Program for the 2021-22 school year. This program provides vital food benefits to families when their children are not able to get free or reduced price meals at school, through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP).

“School P-EBT has provided critical support for families in need over the last two years,” said Department of Health Services secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “Although schools across Wisconsin are back in session, the pandemic still impacts students who are learning from home or who have to be absent because of COVID-19. When those situations arise, these benefits will continue to provide much-needed economic and nutritional support to families that need help.”

In past years, the amount of benefits sent to families by the School P-EBT Program depended on information provided by their children’s schools, about how each grade level was learning during the pandemic (at home, in person, etc.). Federal program changes this year, require benefits to be provided for days that each individual student either learns from home or is absent, because of a COVID-19-related reason.

Starting in January, NSLP/SBP-participating schools will enter individual student data through an online portal. Benefits will be sent out approximately every five weeks.

Families will receive $7.10 for each eligible day, for each eligible child. If families have an active QUEST (FoodShare) card or a P-EBT card from last year, the benefits will be provided on their existing card. Otherwise, families will receive a dedicated PEBT card in the mail.

This ATM-like card can be used in stores to purchase the same items allowed under FoodShare.