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Updates for local agencies, community-based organizations, and providers who provide assistance to members of Wisconsin's health and nutrition public assistance programs.
COVID-19 Update: Children Who Receive Free or Reduced Price Meals Through Their School Will Receive Food Benefits
Background
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services, has approved Wisconsin’s request to issue Pandemic EBT or P-EBT benefits. These benefits will ensure children who normally receive free or reduced price meals through their school continue to have access to nutritious meals while schools are closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A detailed list of food that can be bought with these benefits is available on the Food and Nutrition Services website.
Benefit Availability
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is working with the Department of Children and Families and Department of Public Instruction to issue these benefits based on information on file for children receiving free and reduced price meals. Benefits will be issued in a phased approach, and, if information is not available through existing data, parents or guardians will be able to apply for the benefits through a streamlined application process:
| Enrollment Status |
Benefit Availability |
Benefit Distribution |
| People enrolled in FoodShare |
- March and April: April 27
- May and June: End of May |
Existing QUEST card |
| People not enrolled in FoodShare but enrolled in other public benefit programs |
- March and April: May 10
- May and June: End of May |
Existing QUEST card or P-EBT card
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| People whose information is not available through existing data |
Can apply for benefits in early May |
P-EBT card |
Benefit Amounts
The benefit amount for March and April combined is $176.70 per child who receives free or reduced priced meals. For May and June combined, the benefit amount is $148.20 per child who receives free or reduced priced meals. The benefits must be used within one year of being issued.
People will be able to check the balance on their cards using the ebtEDGE website or the ebtEDGE mobile app.
Notification
People who are issued the benefits based on existing data will receive a letter with information about the benefits. (See the letter for FoodShare members.) People receiving the P-EBT card will also receive a separate mailer containing the card and information about using the card.
People whose information is not available through existing data will receive information on how they can apply for the benefits.
COVID-19 Information
For the latest information about COVID-19 in Wisconsin, we encourage you to frequently monitor the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website for updates and to follow @DHSWI on Facebook and Twitter and dhs.wi on Instagram. Additional information can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
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