ABILENE — Enrolled students in families that temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals for the 202-21 school year because of the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible to receive Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT). P-EBT benefits may be used to buy food from any retailer that accepts the Lone Star Card.

The application for P-EBT is now open and the deadline to apply is Aug. 13, 2021. To apply, go to yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/PEBT (application link is case-sensitive).

Who is Eligible?

  • Students who are certified for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
  • Students who attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) or Provision 2 (P2) school that offers free meals to all students.
  • Children born after Aug. 1, 2014, in families who received SNAP benefits for at least one month between October 2020 and June 2021. 

Who Needs to Apply?

  • A parent/guardian must apply if eligible student is:
    • Enrolled in K-12 and NOT part of a family who received SNAP benefits for at least one month between August 2020 and June 2021.
    • Born on or before Aug. 1, 2014, and is part of a family who received SNAP benefits for the first time during the 2020–2021 school year in May or June 2021.
  • A parent/guardian does not have to apply if eligible student or child is:
    • Born on or before Aug. 1, 2014, and is part of a family who received SNAP benefits for at least one month between August 2020 and April 2021.
    • Born after Aug. 1, 2014, and is part of a family who received SNAP benefits for at least one month between October 2020 and June 2021.