Friday, May 29, 2020
Dear Partners,
As you know, Illinois' schools have been operating via remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. IDHS sought and received federal approval to administer the Pandemic Emergency Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program which provides funds to help Illinois families buy food for school-aged children and young adults who would receive National School Lunch Program free or reduced-priced meals when schools are in session.
To help spread the word to those in need, IDHS designed a P-EBT Digital Toolkit for anyone to use on social media. Please feel free to customize and share this information broadly as we want all qualifying families to know that this support is available.
As you'll read, the posts include a link with guidance on how non-SNAP households can apply for P-EBT and other important information about the program. It also emphasizes that households currently receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits who have eligible children have already been automatically enrolled for P-EBT benefits and do not need to apply. P-EBT funds have been automatically loaded onto their Illinois LINK EBT accounts along with their regular SNAP benefits.
Thank you for your help in our efforts to bring as many Illinois families more support during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Grace B. Hou
Secretary, IDHS
Illinois Department of Human ServicesJB Pritzker, Governor · Dulce M. Quintero, Secretary
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