SALAMANCA FAMILIES WILL RECEIVE FOOD BENEFITS FROM COVID-19 SCHOOL CLOSURE

Families of students who attended Salamanca City Central School District during the COVID-19 closure beginning in March have already or will receive Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Food Benefits.

All Salamanca High School, Seneca Intermediate, and Prospect Elementary students are eligible for benefits – regardless of family income – since the district is a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school and all students receive free lunches. You do not have to apply for the benefit.

Benefits for each school-aged child in the household will automatically be distributed to families via an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.  Most benefit cards will be issued by mail in August with instructions for activating and using the card. Those families who receive either SNAP or (Cash) benefits have already received their benefits.

An EBT card looks and is used like a bank debit card to buy food at authorized retail food stores. To find authorized stores, visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator.

A detailed list of food items that may be purchased with the benefits can be found at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligible-food-items.

Benefits from the EBT card can be used for up to one year from the date they are issued. They are not transferable and cannot be donated.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 authorized the payment of benefits for students who would have received free lunches if not for school closure. The maximum amount that a family can receive each month for one eligible child is as follows: March $68; April $125; May $119; June $108.

The maximum for the entire March through June period is $420. Families will not have to pay back the benefits.

For EBT card and benefits assistance, call 1-888-328-6399, email otda.sm.eisp.PEBT@otda.ny.gov, or visit http://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/ebt.

For a list of answers to many commonly asked questions about the P-EBT food benefits for New York state residents, visit https://otda.ny.gov/SNAP-COVID-19/Frequently-Asked-Questions-Pandemic-EBT.asp.

Originally published on salamancany.org.