Early in March 2021, President Joe Biden signed a law called the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). Among other changes to pandemic assistance for struggling families, ARPA has extended the Pandemic EBT program (P-EBT) through the summer of 2021, which means families that qualify will get money for three more months to help feed themselves and their children.
This program could potentially benefit millions of immigrant families. Below, we’ll answer some of the most common questions in immigrant communities about the P-EBT extension
This article will answer:
Who is eligible?
How much money?
Is this the same as food stamps & WIC?
Will P-EBT hurt my immigration status?
Is this help for all the states?
How do I apply for it? Will it be sent automatically?
Who is eligible?
According to the United States Agricultural Department (USDA) announcement about the extension, “P-EBT is available this summer to all children who were eligible to receive free or reduced price meals during the current school year.” The program also includes children under 6 who are eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and other children who were determined eligible by officials when your family applies.
Because the eligibility is based on your family’s income and not your citizenship documentation, this means that your family may be eligible even if you are undocumented or are not permanent residents or U.S. citizens. Households do not have to be enrolled in SNAP to be eligible.
How much money?
The USDA said in another announcement about the P-EBT program that families can get up to $375 per child for the 90-day extension of the program, which is equal to about $6.82 per weekday for each child.
Is this the same as food stamps and WIC?
No, this program is different from food stamps (known officially as SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). NPR noted that if you have SNAP benefits, the P-EBT money will be deposited directly into your SNAP account. But again, you do not have to be enrolled in SNAP to be eligible.
Will P-EBT hurt my immigration status?
Receiving P-EBT will not impact a parent or child’s immigration status. SNAP, P-EBT, WIC, TEFAP and home-delivered meals are NOT included in the public charge test. Your families’ use of P-EBT or other food assistance will not be shared with immigration enforcement.
Is this help for all the states?
As of May 4, 39 states have enrolled in the federal government’s extension of P-EBT benefits. Check this list of states on the USDA’s website to see if your states is providing P-EBT. If your state is not listed yet, check back. Some states, like California have not yet been approved for the summer P-EBT program. .
How do I apply for it? Will it be sent automatically?
You have to apply for these benefits through your state’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). To get to the application for your state, click on your state in this map to get information about its P-EBT program. If you need more information, Google your state’s name and “P-EBT.” For example, if you live in Texas, you would search “Texas P-EBT.”
If your application is accepted by your state’s DHHS, you will receive a card similar to the card you get for SNAP benefits and the money will be deposited there. You can use this card to purchase groceries.
If you need help finding food, please visit Feeding America to search for food banks and other resources in your area. For California residents, you can search on the California Association of Food Banks for one in your county.
