The P-EBT program is at risk of being discontinued by Friday, putting nearly 5 million children in multiple states in a race against time to save it.
As the deadline approaches, families and advocacy groups are growing increasingly concerned about the potential impact on vulnerable children who rely on these programs for their daily nutrition.
Critical Deadline Looms for P-EBT Program
The urgency stems from a provision in the pandemic-related federal legislation that expanded access to the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program. The program provides eligible families with funds to purchase food to replace meals missed due to school closures and other pandemic-related disruptions.
However, this extension requires states to take necessary actions to ensure continued benefits for those in need.
If these states fail to act by Friday, eligible families in Alabama, Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, and Wyoming will no longer receive the additional support provided through the P-EBT program.
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Community Mobilization for Food Security
The potential loss of this assistance poses a significant threat to the well-being and nutritional needs of millions of children. Advocates argue that the impact will be particularly severe for low-income families who have been disproportionately affected by the economic repercussions of the pandemic.
Efforts are underway to raise awareness about the approaching deadline and urge states to take immediate action to ensure the uninterrupted provision of food assistance.
Advocacy organizations, community leaders, and concerned citizens are joining forces to press state officials to swiftly implement the necessary measures, including submitting the required plans and documentation to continue the P-EBT program.
Time is of the essence, as the Friday deadline looms and families anxiously await news of the program’s continuation. The potential loss of food assistance for nearly 5 million children highlights the pressing need for swift action from these states to avoid exacerbating the already challenging circumstances faced by vulnerable families across the country.
As the clock ticks, the hope remains that state governments will prioritize the welfare of their constituents and take the necessary steps to secure essential food assistance for millions of children who are depending on it to meet their basic needs.
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