NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — For families who missed the deadline for the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program, the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is working with local schools to give them another chance to receive the food assistance.
TDHS is sending a P-EBT card to the last school qualifying students attended in the spring, for parents to pick up.
The P-EBT program was designed to replace meals lost to students because of COVID-19 school closures. After several extensions, the deadline to sign up for the program was in August.
To be eligible, students must have received free or reduced meals at school or attended a Community Eligiblity Provision school during the months of March, April or May.
"Tennessee's P-EBT program has already provided support to more than half of all public-school students in the state and we're excited to give more families an opportunity to benefit," TDHS Commissioner Danielle Barnes said. "Now more than ever, citizens truly are looking to us for help. By ensuring student's nutritional needs are met, we're enabling Tennesseans to thrive when the pandemic subsides."
To pick up the P-EBT cards, qualifying families will need to provide a valid ID to the school. Cards that aren't picked up after 30 days will be returned to TDHS and disposed.
