Dear Parent/Guardian,
Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) is a federal program designed to provide food support to families with children who were receiving free and reduced-price school meals and missed school for COVID related absences. It can help families pay for food when students are absent from school due to a COVID-19 related isolation/quarantine. The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), in collaboration with the Department of Human Services (DHS), received approval to operate this program in response to the COVID-19 related school closures for the school year 2021-22.
To be eligible, a student must:
● Qualify for free and reduced-price meals, AND
● Have been absent from school due to COVID-19 isolation/quarantine
**Benefits are allowed only on planned school calendar days. Benefits are not allowed on weekends or holidays. For students whose instruction choice was in-person, the households can contact the White Hall School District at 870-247-2171 and complete the Arkansas Parent Initiated P-EBT Application. The school district will verify the absences, approve the application, and submit the student’s information to DESE. DESE will provide a file for DHS to process the benefit.
Anticipated timeline:
● June 23, 2022 – July 29, 2022 – Household to complete the application process and submit to the district
● July 29, 2022 - August 12, 2022 – District to consolidate collected student information and submit a spreadsheet to DESE.
If you have questions or need help, contact the Child Nutrition Department at 870-247-2171.
Sincerely,
Patsy Garner
Child Nutrition Director
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
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(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.