Deadline approaching for Alaskan families to receive pandemic EBT benefits

Eligible families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure timely processing of applications. Food Bank of Alaska tools, including the online application and service ticket, will close

on Friday, September 25th at 5pm.

The Pandemic – Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) Program is additional money for families to buy food due to COVID-19 related school closures in March, April, and/or May of 2020. This program is intended to help cover unexpected expenses as a result of lost school meals in the spring. Eligible families will receive up to $458 for each eligible child, which will be loaded on an EBT card and can be used to purchase groceries.

This program is available to Alaskan families with school age children who received free and reduced-price school meals in Alaska, or attended a school where meals are free during March, April, and/or May of 2020. Please note students must attend schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to qualify.

Eligible families who also receive SNAP benefits should have automatically received P-EBT benefits on their Quest EBT cards. No application or additional action was required. Families that did not receive expected benefits are encouraged to submit a service ticket to be submitted to the State prior to the tool closing Friday, September 25th.

Eligible families that do not receive SNAP need to opt-in to the program. The enrollment period for P-EBT is open now through September 30th, 2020, but because it takes time to process the applications we are strongly encouraging families if they are eligible and still need to apply, to do so this week.

Beyond September 25th, families needing assistance applying for P-EBT, or with technical assistance needs will need to reach out to the State of Alaska, Division of Public Assistance at 1-800-478-7778 or DPAWasilla.office@alaska.gov. More information is available at www.foodbankofalaska.org/pebt