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The Maui News
The application period for a summer program that provides food purchasing assistance to struggling families opens Saturday and runs through Aug. 6, the Hawai'i Children's Action Network announced Thursday.
The state Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the state Department of Education, recently rolled out the summer Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer Program, also known as P-EBT, for 2023. This year, the summer P-EBT benefits are $139 per child or youth, according to the network.
Students who were enrolled in free or reduced-price school lunch last year were automatically enrolled in the summer P-EBT program and do not need to apply. If a student is in need and was not enrolled in school lunch, they still have a chance to apply for the program through EZMealApp.com through Aug. 6 if they attend a DOE school. Families who have children attending a charter or private school that provides free or reduced-price school lunch should contact their school. If they are found eligible and enrolled, their summer P-EBT benefits will be issued on Sept. 12.
Students and their families do not need to be U.S. citizens in order to receive the benefits, and using the benefits will not affect a parent or child's immigration status, the network said.
For more information, visit www.hawaiifoodhelp.com or humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/updates.