Due to the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, USDA is establishing a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus. This waiver applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program.
This document provides information to states to assist in the development of state plans to operate Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) for school children during school year 2020-21.
The Continuing Appropriations Act 2021 and Other Extensions Act extends Pandemic EBT through the end of September 2021. That means that P-EBT is now available for all of school year 2020-2021.
FNS published the SNAP: P-EBT Integrity Final Rule which requires FNS to treat P-EBT benefits the same as SNAP benefits for the purposes of identifying and sanctioning program violators.
WIC EBT is an electronic system that replaces paper vouchers with a card for food benefit issuance and redemption at authorized WIC grocery stores. Management Information Systems of FNS WIC provides technical assistance and project oversight for state agency partnership activities.
FNS disaster nutrition assistance response information
In September 2020, USDA awarded approximately $3.2 million in Data and Technical Assistance (DATA) grants to five states. These grants are intended to support the full range of needs state agencies may have related to the development, collection, reporting, analysis and use of SNAP E&T participant outcome data. Among other things, funds can be used for training and capacity building, including efforts to improve E&T data quality; information technology systems development to support the collection, reporting, and analysis of SNAP E&T data; and/or continuous program improvement of SNAP E&T programs.
This webinar is intended for state distributing agencies and FNS regional office staff and highlights how USDA Foods may be used in congregate feeding or disaster household distribution during a disaster, emergency, or situation of distress response. We discuss the importance of planning, preparation and communication before, during and after a disaster response.
FNS disaster nutrition assistance response information
FNS nutrition assistance programs have a role in responding to nutrition assistance needs during a human pandemic. Flexibilities already exist in some of the nutrition assistance programs that could support social distancing measures during a human pandemic such as alternatives to schools meals and mailing or electronic transmission of benefits.