Deadline extended for $285 food benefit for school children

AUSTIN - Families in Texas who need help feeding their children because of the economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic now have more time to apply for benefits.

Governor Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is extending the application deadline for the federal Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer program (P-EBT) to August 21.

The Federal Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer Program, which is part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, is for children up to age 21 who have temporarily lost access to free or discounted school meals because their school is now closed.

The P-EBT program provides a one-time payment of $285 per child that can be used in the same way as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to pay for groceries.

There are some eligibility requirements, including the student must attend school in Texas.

To find out if your child is eligible, click here and fill out the application.