The State of North Carolina will continue to provide additional benefits through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT). P-EBT is a collaboration between the NC Department of Health and Human Services and the NC Department of Public Instruction. This program helps families purchase food for children whose access to free and reduced-priced meals at school has been impacted by virtual learning for school year 20-21 due to COVID-19. P-EBT provides a benefit on an Electronic Benefit (EBT) card, which acts like a debit card, that can be used to buy food at authorized retailers including most major grocery stores.

Families do not need to apply for P-EBT. A school-aged child is eligible for the P-EBT program if their school is eligible to provide free or reduce-priced meals at school this year. Households that are eligible, or continue to be eligible, to receive P-EBT benefits will receive those benefits on their P-EBT card to help buy food for their school-aged children.

The state will begin to issue benefits for the months of August to December 2020 in February 2021 for those who already have an EBT card (P-EBT or FNS). Those who do not have the P-EBT card and are eligible during these months should anticipate receiving their cards in February or March 202.

To learn more, download the flyer or visit www.ncdhhs.gov/PEBT