State Plan SY 2021-22 (1.14 MB)
| DATE: | August 26, 2021 |
| SUBJECT: | State Plan for Pandemic EBT: Children in School and Child Care, 2021-2022 |
| TO: | SNAP State Agencies Child Nutrition State Agencies |
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is releasing new guidance today to assist states in the development of Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) plans for school year 2021-22. States distributed P-EBT benefits to millions of families last school year to replace meals lost by their children as schools and child care facilities closed or restricted their in-person schedules due to the COVID emergency. As we enter a new school year under uncertain conditions, children’s access to meals at school and child care remains at risk.
While NSLP-participating schools have the option to serve free meals to all students this school year through the Seamless Summer Option, P-EBT fills a critical gap for children with virtual or hybrid schedules who qualify for free or reduced price meals under standard NSLP rules. P-EBT provides a similar benefit for younger children who participate in SNAP. USDA is committed to working with all states to ensure that P-EBT remains a resource for these children.
Today’s new P-EBT guidance consists of an updated state plan template and a set of Q&As. Both documents are available on USDA’s P-EBT website. These should look familiar to you; relatively little has changed compared to last year’s guidance. USDA encourages you to review these documents and direct your questions to your USDA-FNS regional offices.
USDA looks forward to working with you this school year on your new P-EBT plans.
| Jessica Shahin Associate Administrator Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program |
Cindy Long Deputy Administrator Child Nutrition Programs |