Rep. McNally Releases Statement, Guidance on P-EBT Cards for Ohio Families
COLUMBUS- State Rep Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today issued guidance to elected officials, government and school administrators, and community leaders, urging them to notify local families about the upcoming deadlines related to the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program, specifically, P-EBT cards that were issued in a child’s name.
“Families were given a limited window for card utilization, with only 274 days from issuance to expenditure. This period varied depending on issuance date with some cards expiring as soon as March 1, 2023,” wrote Rep. McNally in a letter sent this morning to leaders in Ohio’s 59th district. “The March 1st deadline is of particular significance, by which families must spend at least $1 to extend usage by an additional 274 days. We encourage you to notify all eligible families of this deadline.”
The P-EBT program, overseen by the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS) was designed to provide crucial assistance to families with children who were eligible for free or reduced-price school meals during the pandemic. These funds were intended to ensure that children facing food-insecurity maintained access to food during school closures and remote learning conditions.
However, trends pointing to underutilization of these benefits show that 14% of eligible beneficiaries or 131,000 students had not accessed funds. Not all students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals qualify for SNAP benefits, potentially leading to oversight in the availability of funds and underutilization of the P-EBT cards that were issued in the child’s name. ODJFS will not be releasing statements or issuing outreach related to the potential March 1st utilization deadline, prompting direct outreach from Rep. McNally.
“Families have 274 days to make a $1 purchase or larger, then they will receive 274 additional days. Dollars were disseminated in multiple iterations, so when that 274 day begins for specific districts is unclear but could expire as early as March 1st,” said Rep. McNally. “This benefit exists to address a need and was given to families that could use that help. It’s important they get this time sensitive information so they can take action on behalf of their children.”
Families who do not have access to issued cards, must request a new card through the P-EBT customer service line at 1-866-244-0071, Press Option 1. Guidance has not yet been released regarding the course of action to be taken in cases where a new P-EBT card has been requested but the allocated 274-day period since issuance has already lapsed.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Rep. McNally’s letter to community leaders is attached.