School Lunch

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (P-EBT)

Louisiana has been approved for the new Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program that will provide nutritious food to children who were affected by school closings due to COVID-19.

The P-EBT program provides temporary funding to address emergency food needs and avert financial hardship for families affected by the pandemic. Families can use their pre-loaded EBT card at any retailer that accepts SNAP EBT benefits. You can find a list of retailers on the SNAP Retailers website.

Our school participates in the Community Eligibility Provision, thus making all students enrolled eligible for free meals. All students eligible for free meals qualify for Pandemic EBT benefits. Families will receive $285 in total P-EBT benefits per eligible child. Unused benefits will roll over month to month and must be used within 365 days.
 
Families must apply if they wish to receive the benefits. The application will be available in a P-EBT portal on the LDE website: pebt.doe.louisiana.gov/PublicApps/SNP. The portal opens May 18, and the deadline to apply is June 7. State officials expect considerable interest in the program and ask applicants to be patient in trying to access the portal.
 
Please know, families must apply through the P-EBT portal on the LDE website and there is no need to submit a new free and reduced meal application to the school.
 
For more information on the P-EBT program, visit www.dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/pebt-program. If you have additional questions, please call the LAHelpU Call Center at 1-888-524-3578.