Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) is a new crisis response nutrition program created to help ease the financial strain that families are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program provides food benefits to approximately 2.1 million children across New York who lost access to free or reduced-price school meals due to school closures.

Benefits will be loaded on a new or existing EBT card. You can still receive “grab and go” meals during school closures and summer vacation.

Every eligible family, regardless of income or immigration status, will receive $420 in P-EBT food benefits per eligible child. There is no application required. P-EBT does not affect eligibility for other benefits or public charge status. Families will receive benefits between June and early August.

You can learn more about the P-EBT program on the New York State SNAP-COVID-19 Information website.