North Dakota State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler and North Dakota Health and Human Services Commissioner Chris Jones have announced that approximately 45,000 children in North Dakota will have access to a food assistance program during the summer.
North Dakota launches food assistance program to benefit 45,000 children
The initiative, known as the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT), aims to support two groups of children: those aged 0-5 whose households receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds, and school-age children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.
Jones emphasized that “Hunger doesn’t take a vacation,” expressing satisfaction in collaborating with the NDDPI team to alleviate financial burdens and address the nutritional needs of numerous North Dakota children and families impacted by rising food prices.
For children aged 0-5 receiving SNAP benefits, additional benefits of up to $171 will be provided during the summer. The amount will be based on the number of months the child received SNAP benefits between September 1, 2022, and May 11, 2023.
The additional benefit will be deposited as a one-time lump sum on the household’s SNAP EBT card, and no application is required for parents or guardians of these children
School-age children who qualified for free or reduced-price meals during the 2022-23 school year or the summer of 2023, and were enrolled in a school participating in the National School Lunch Program, may receive a $120 P-EBT benefit. To receive this benefit, parents or guardians must apply online before August 21, 2023, through the website ndsummerebt.nd.gov. This year, completing the online application form is a new requirement to ensure accurate information.
Applications will be reviewed and approved by the Department of Public Instruction. EBT cards containing benefits for eligible school-age children will be sent to the applying parent or guardian. Families that submit applications by mid-June may receive benefits as early as mid-July, while those applying by late July will receive benefits in late August. Applications submitted after July but before August 21 can expect benefits in late September 2023.
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