Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) Update
P-EBT is a program to help provide food to families with children in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government created P-EBT to provide food benefits to children who are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program. The P-EBT program is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). DHS coordinates with the Department of Public Instruction and the Department of Children and Families.
Pre-6 P-EBT benefits sent July 9
On July 9, Wisconsin issued “Pre-6 P-EBT benefits” to families enrolled in FoodShare who had children under the age of 6 as of September 1, 2021, or children not enrolled in school during the 2021-2022 school year. Benefits were loaded onto the QUEST or P-EBT cards. DHS sent letters with details about the benefits to each eligible household.
Final round of School P-EBT benefits sent July 23
The final round of School P-EBT benefits for the months of May and June 2022 were added to QUEST and existing P-EBT cards over the weekend of July 23. Families who received benefits but did not have a P-EBT card were sent one in the mail. If a child’s information for earlier months of the year was updated by their district, they may also have received benefits for those earlier months.
Summer P-EBT benefits will be sent on August 20
The Summer P-EBT program will provide benefits to families of:
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Children who were in the free and reduced meal program at their school during the 2021-2022 school year, whether or not they received School P-EBT.
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Eligible non-school-age children. This includes kids who were both:
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Under age 6 as of September 1, 2021
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Part of a FoodShare household at least one month this summer
These benefits help cover the cost of meals between the current school year (2021-2022) and the next school year (2022-2023).
Benefits may also be available for children who start free or reduced-price meals at their school if their families apply before September 1, 2022. Families whose children were not part of the free or reduced-price meal program at their school in 2021-2022 should apply by September 1, 2022.
Families will receive $391 for each eligible child on August 20, 2022. Families whose children are found eligible after that date will receive benefits on October 29, 2022.
If you currently have a P-EBT card, please keep it. Summer P-EBT benefits will be loaded onto that card if your child/children are eligible.
Gov. Evers, DHS Announce $14 Million in Grants for Behavioral Health Needs
Gov. Tony Evers and DHS announced $14.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to directly support youth mental health services, as well as new behavioral health providers entering the workforce. Together, these programs will expand access to vital services and address the shortage of mental health providers across Wisconsin. Children’s Wisconsin will use $5 million of the investment to enhance youth mental health services and support a new pediatric psychology residency program. The remaining more than $9 million will be administered by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UW-Whitewater) to help bolster Wisconsin’s mental health and substance use services workforce.
Know Your Community Level
The two-week average number of COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin declined slightly, but hospitalizations in the Fox Valley Region increased. In other regions of the state, the average two-week hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have held steady. Taking steps to control the spread of COVID-19 remains important, especially to make sure hospitals have the capacity to provide the full range of health care. In addition, many people, particularly older adults, and people with underlying health conditions, remain at risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death.
As of August 5, 2022, CDC data indicate 21 Wisconsin counties are in the “high” COVID-19 Community Level category: Burnett; Washburn; Baron; Rusk; Lincoln; Marinette; Door; Brown; Marathon; Wood; Clark; Eau Claire; La Crosse; Monroe; Crawford; Rock; Washington; Waukesha; Milwaukee; Racine and Kenosha. In addition, 36 Wisconsin counties are experiencing a medium COVID-19 Community Level, and 15 are experiencing a low COVID-19 Community Level. Residents in counties with a high COVID-19 Community Level are recommended to wear a well-fitting mask or respirator in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status.
In addition, DHS urges all Wisconsinites to take the following actions:
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Know the COVID-19 Community Level where you live or are traveling to and follow the associated guidelines.
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Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines by getting all recommended vaccines and booster doses.
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Get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or were exposed to someone with COVID-19.
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Stay home if you are sick or test positive for COVID-19 and talk to a health care provider or visit a community clinic to ask about available treatments. For free, confidential assistance finding a doctor or community clinic near you, dial 211.
Individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19, have tested positive, or were exposed to someone with COVID-19 should continue to follow isolation and quarantine recommendations.
To find the latest guidance for your community, visit COVID.gov.
Testing Information:
If you are feeling ill or if you may have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, using a COVID-19 self-test is a safe and highly effective method for detecting COVID-19 infection.
Self-tests can be purchased at local pharmacy or retail stores, and each U.S. household is eligible to order 8 tests for free at COVID.gov.
In addition to at-home self-tests, community testing sites remain accessible across Wisconsin. Find a site near you by dialing 211 or visiting the DHS Community Testing information page.
COVID-19 Therapeutics: What You Need to Know
Most people who get COVID-19 have mild illness and can treat themselves at home with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications to decrease fever and discomfort. For people who are at higher risk of experiencing severe COVID-19 illness, medications called monoclonal antibodies and oral antivirals are available throughout the state.
COVID-19 oral antivirals are pills taken by mouth at home after someone has tested positive for COVID-19. They help the body fight off the virus that causes COVID-19 and are proven to reduce serious symptoms that can lead to hospitalization and death. A prescription is required for these medications. These treatments need to start within five days of symptom onset, so it is important that people who develop symptoms of COVID-19 do not delay – they should test and seek treatment right away. Oral antiviral pills are available at nearly 600 pharmacies across the state. To get a prescription, you can visit a health care clinic, a community health center, walk-in clinic or a Test to Treat site, and for Paxlovid, you may be able to get a prescription from a pharmacist.
Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced molecules that help the immune system recognize and respond more effectively to the virus. Monoclonal antibody treatment is given in a health care setting by intravenous (IV) injection. This treatment is also proven to reduce serious symptoms that can lead to hospitalization and death. There is also a monoclonal antibody medication, known as Evusheld, used for prevention of COVID-19 in people unlikely to produce an immune response to COVID-19 vaccination. Click here to learn more about available treatments.
Vaccine Milestone Reached!
WOW! Wisconsin vaccine providers have administered over 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine – including over 2.5 million additional and booster doses. Join the millions of Wisconsinites who have already gotten theirs. COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone age 6 months and older. Everyone age 5 and older is also recommended to have at least one booster dose five months after receiving their primary series. Not up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations or booster doses? To find a COVID-19 vaccination site near you, visit Vaccines.gov or dial 211 or 877-947-2211. Learn more at the DHS Find a Vaccine Appointment webpage.
COVID-19 by the Numbers
• Cases • Deaths • Disease Activity • Race and Ethnic Disparities • Vaccine
COVID-19 Resources
Access to Health Care
211 is Wisconsin’s statewide community referral service available to help you find community and health resources related to COVID-19, as well as resources that can help Wisconsinites access support around housing, finances, food access, childcare, or emotional support. Find an online directory to identify further information by topic, or available resources. And remember, if you want free, confidential personal assistance on these or other topics, dial 211 OR 877-947-2211, text your ZIP code to 898-211 or visit 211Wisconsin.org. A friendly voice is there to talk with you every day.
Other Languages, Graphics, and Print Materials
DHS materials are available in multiple languages as electronic files you can view online or download and print. You can use these materials at home or for your business. Visit the DHS website to view what resources are available to you.
Social Media
Follow DHS on social media for the most up-to-date information on the COVID-19 response and vaccine rollout.
Newsletter
Looking for previous newsletters? To view past versions of this newsletter, visit the DHS website.
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