Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) is a federal initiative designed to provide food assistance to students who have been impacted by the pandemic and are missing out on meals that would have been provided at school. This program aims to replace those meals with a monetary benefit that can be used to purchase food.
P-EBT benefits have been distributed to all students who attended Union School District last year. The California Department of Education has determined eligibility for P-EBT cards based on the District's status, rather than the individual status of each student. P-EBT cards containing a benefit amount of $120 were mailed to student's home mailing address in August. These cards function like debit cards and can be used at locations where CalFresh Food benefits are accepted.
Families who determine the P-EBT benefits are not necessary can drop off their cards at a collection box which has been made available in the front office area at school. The District is working with the California Department of Education on redistributing returned P-EBT cards to students who are in need of these benefits.
