P-EBT card in the mail?

Modified: October 8, 2020 8:11pm

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Did your household receive a card such as pictured here with your child’s name and a DOB 01/01/1900? Were you confused and wondering if this is a scam? It is not.                                       

The card you received is from New York State. It is called a Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer 2020 Card. The letter accompanying the card starts out telling you to “Please keep this card for any future benefits your child may receive.”   

P-EBT card arrived USPS to households that receive free lunches at school. The P-EBT benefit is to purchase food for children who receive free lunches when the school is physically open. Children who receive free lunches at school were impacted in March, when schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

To use the card, follow the instructions on the enclosed letter, set up a pin, and then you can check the balance on your P-EBT card. Once the card is set up you may purchase allowable food items from authorized retail stores. A detailed list of food items that may be purchased, using the P-EBT card, can be found at http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligible-food-items/. The P-EBT benefit maximum of up to $420.00 if the child qualified for free lunches for the entire March through June time frame. 

There are no fees for using your P-EBT food benefits. You may use the card as many times as you need to use all funds provided. P-EBT food benefits will remain available on the P-EBT 2020 Card for up to one year from the date issued. 

This information was brought to you by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, SNAP COVID-19 Information.

 

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Expires: 
Thursday, December 31, 2020