There is a new way to get additional help with buying food this summer if you have kids who receive free or reduced-price school meals. The Pandemic EBT Emergency School Meals Program, also referred to as P-EBT, provides a one-time benefit for families of up to $399 per eligible child in each household. If you think you may be newly eligible for free or reduced-priced school meals, you will want to get your application in before June 30 to qualify. You will not be asked immigration status, and applying for the program will not affect future immigration status. Once you are approved for the school meal program, you will have until August 31 to apply for the P-EBT program. Here is the next step you can take based on what benefits you already have:

• If you already receive basic food benefits and have a child who receives free or reduced-price school meals, good news, you don’t need to do anything. The benefits will automatically be deposited onto EBT cards beginning in July.
• If you are not signed up for free or reduced-price meals at school, go to your school district’s website and fill out the application, or call your child’s school and ask to apply for the free or reduced meal program before June 30.
• If you have been approved for free or reduced-price meals but do not receive basic food benefits, visit WashingtonConnection.org to apply for P-EBT beginning June 28, or call DSHS at 877.501.2233 (Mon. - Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., interpreter services available) to apply beginning June 29.