Yes, California is indeed getting P EBT 3.0. Families in California who have children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals will be receiving financial assistance through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program. This program is designed to help families with children who have been affected by school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligibility Criteria
For families to qualify for P-EBT 3.0 in California, they must meet the following criteria:
- Their children must be eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.
- Their children must attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP).
- Their children must have missed out on school meals due to pandemic-related school closures or distance learning.
Benefit Amounts
The amount of benefits that families will receive through P-EBT 3.0 will depend on several factors, including:
- The number of eligible children in the household.
- The number of school days that the children missed out on school meals.
- Whether the children were learning remotely or through a hybrid model during the pandemic.
Application Process
Families in California do not need to apply for P-EBT 3.0. Benefits will be automatically issued to eligible families based on information provided by their child’s school or school district.
Issuance Timeline
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) will be issuing P-EBT 3.0 benefits in staggered waves, starting from a certain date. Families can expect to receive their benefits within a specific timeframe based on which wave they fall into. Here is a sample timeline for P-EBT issuance:
| Wave | Issuance Date |
|---|---|
| Wave 1 | May 2022 |
| Wave 2 | June 2022 |
| Wave 3 | July 2022 |
Utilization of Benefits
Once received, families can use their P-EBT 3.0 benefits to purchase eligible food items at authorized retailers, including grocery stores and online retailers that accept EBT cards.
With the rollout of P-EBT 3.0 in California, families can rest assured that financial assistance is on the way to support their children and ensure they have access to nutritious meals during these challenging times.