Updated documents:  

Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Update 

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has received many questions regarding P-EBT since the announcement in the Nutrition Program Bulletin for the week of December 14, 2020. As soon as the Minnesota P-EBT plan is approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), we will communicate more information via the bulletin. In the meantime, see below for a few answers to your common questions. 

Answer: Schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program or the Summer Food Service Program become eligible after they are closed or operating with reduced hours or attendance for at least five consecutive days. Once a school meets the eligibility requirement, students who are eligible for free or reduced-price (FRP) meals during school year 2020-21 qualify for P-EBT benefits on days they do not eat meals at school (e.g., distance learning). This includes children who are directly certified, certified by application, or enrolled in a Community Eligibility Provision school.

2. Are students eligible for P-EBT even if the school distributes meals to students on distance learning days, either through meal pick-up sites or delivery?

Answer: Yes. Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals may pick-up a meal or have a meal delivered to them AND still receive P-EBT benefits for the days they were distance learning.

3. How do families apply for P-EBT benefits for the 2020-21 school year?

Answer: There is not an application for P-EBT benefits. Eligibility will be determined using school data, which will be collected by MDE beginning in February. Schools should communicate with families that children must be approved for free or reduced-price meals for the 2020-21 school year in order to be eligible for this benefit. View a sample P-EBT message for families. Benefits are not available immediately but may be retroactive to September 2020, depending upon when FRP eligibility is determined. More specific timelines will follow when the Minnesota P-EBT plan is approved by USDA.

 

Customer Service Form

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) developed a customer service form to help route your questions to the appropriate team more efficiently. A link to this form is on the main FNS webpage, the Connect with Us webpage, and will also be linked at the bottom of every bulletin. Please use this form when contacting us with questions. 

Supervisor Leave of Absence 

Deb Lukkonen, supervisor for School Nutrition Programs, will be on an extended leave of absence until March 31, 2021. During her leave, leadership responsibilities for the team will be handled by Jenna Kiepke. Jenna can be reached at: jenna.kiepke@state.mn.us.    

​If you have any questions, you may contact Monica Herrera at monica.herrera@state.mn.us.

 

Tuesdays @ 2 Webinars

Join school nutrition staff for a training webinar every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Read session descriptions and register for Tuesdays @ 2 webinars. There is no webinar on Tuesday, January 26, 2021.