Maryland Gets Approval for Pandemic EBT Program for Children

Maryland received approval for a Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program, according to a statement from the state Department of Human Services (DHS). 

The program is designed to help families with children who can’t get free or reduced-price meals at school due to ongoing closures. Benefits will be calculated monthly at $5.70 per child for every day schools are closed. There will be retroactive benefits, and money for March, April and May will be distributed in June. 

Families that are part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see the money on their existing EBT card, and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is working with the DHS to reach out to non-SNAP families who qualify. 

The DHS estimates that about 427,000 children will benefit from the program, and estimates over $49 million in benefits. The P-EBT Program is a joint effort between the DHS and MSDE. 

1. FOOD NEWS. The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), in conjunction with the Maryland State Department of Education, has secured approval from the USDA on its joint submission to operate a Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program.

— Michael Ricci (@riccimike) April 29, 2020

About Maryam Shahzad

Maryam is a reporter with Montgomery Community Media. She graduated from the University of Maryland in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism. Previously, she was an intern with MCM. She can be reached at mshahzad@mymcmedia.org or on Twitter @maryam_mcm.

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