Attacking “food insecurity” has been a key goal of North Carolina government for years and this summer is certainly not going to be an exception.
Eligible kids across the state will receive old and new benefits this summer to make sure they have access to nutritious meals.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced on Thursday, June 23, that it had received approval from the US Department of Agriculture to extend previous Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) food assistance program through Summer 2022.
The extension of the program will mean that about $303 million in food assistance benefits will be provided to an estimated 975,000 children in the state.
NCDHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley stated in a press release that this announcement should help mitigate the worries of families with kids who might have been concerned about getting enough to eat in the coming months.
“For some kids, summer vacation means wondering where their next meal will come from,” Kinsley said. “Children need healthy food to grow and learn, and we will continue to do everything we can to support this effort as part of the NCDHHS priority to improve child and family well-being.”
According to state officials, school students who received free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program in May of 2022 are among those eligible for the extended benefits.
According to NC Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt, these benefits – and those from the National School Lunch Program – are extremely important to improving student performance and creating better outcomes
She added that she’s thrilled the assistance will continue for children and their families.”
Families can access important P-EBT information and updates on the P-EBT website, which can be found by googling “P-EBT.” Details about the benefit issuance schedule will be posted on the website and shared on social media, and the one-time benefit amounts will be added to the website once they are finalized by the USDA.
To access Summer P-EBT benefits, a student who’s not already approved for free or reduced-price meals must apply by Aug. 31, 2022. If approved for free or reduced-price meals, the student will automatically be eligible for Summer P-EBT.
To apply, contact your student’s school or school district.
Young children under age six receiving FNS benefits and Child Care P-EBT benefits for the 2021-2022 school year are automatically eligible but should check their status to assure participation.
None of us wants the innocent children to be hungry. Certainly unexpected events happen that affect a family’s ability to adequately provide for their family. However many people have been on welfare for many years and are still producing children when they can’t provide for the ones they already have. Shouldn’t they be responsible for their situate. If you don’t have the $ you shouldn’t buy what you don’t need. If you can’t afford a family, don’t make children for whom YOY won’t be responsible. This in no way endorses abortion. Many problems in this country (and the world) are because people will not assume responsibility for their actions!
Shirking responsibility is the new norm.
The state isn’t footing the bill for this program– we, the taxpayers are. Send one of the older kids over to my house to mow the grass once a week. He will earn the money and I will teach him (politely) that nothing is free.
if they really wanted to alleviate “food insecurity” they’d finally repeal the Food Tax (imposed in 1961 as a temporary measure).
I have to work my ass off to feed my own kids.
Get off your asses & feed yours.
You are exactly right ! Quit selling your food stamps ! Quit buying the gold jewelry, getting your hair and nails done and FEED YOUR KIDS ! Stretch those food stamps, NO Lobster, Crab legs and expensive Steaks. ! Quit selling your food stamps !
They way things are going, the poor & middle class will be (are) wiped out. So will it wipe out the “rich”.
The we’ll all depend on Manna from Heaven, or Big Brother.
Republicans love kids until they are born. Then they are not worth supporting judging by these comments.
We do love kids what’s being said is if you can’t provide for them use common sense use some method of birth control or stop having sex with someone who won’t pay child support or don’t have sex. The state had the right idea in the 60s.
I doubt many women who seek abortions do it as their first choice of birth control. The Pill is easy to make mistakes, or in heat of moment, a condom was skipped, and oops….somebody is pregnant. Asking people to not have sex is something a grumpy old person would think is a good idea.
Hey numbnuts. I love my kids I took care of them as I was taught to do just like my parents did for me and my siblings as my grandparents did for my mother and father never asking anyone especially the government for help. That’s where I stand today you have them you support them I don’t think my tax dollars should support someone else. If you feel different then go adopt a dozen or so. Bring them to your house them lecture me.
So Mary who works as a waitress while going to college living with a bunch of other college students to makes ends meet while running up a mass of college debt, forgets her birth control pill without noticing and has a good evening with her boyfriend. Oops. She doesn’t have the skills to get a better paying job, she is only a year away from graduating…so now in many states she would have to drop out, move home (if even an option), or go on public assistance to raise a baby she didn’t want in the first place….to only be shamed for being on public assistance..by the same nuckleheads that told she HAD to complete the mistaken permanency because they claim to know what’s best for this unborn child.
What a joke. A vey sad joke.
Wow chris that’s a great reply. Since you’re so big hearted are you personally going to help poor ole forgetful Mary out and pay the bills for her child oh wait what about the father who helped get forgetful Mary pregnant why doesn’t he pay his share. Just so you know I’m far from being old. Occasionally I’m grumpy toward ignorant and rude people but I was also taught to be kind to animals and dumb people so you have my blessing to become a moron if you like
Nope, but I am glad she lives in NC where she has the freedom of choice about when to start a family in a responsible manor. The ‘father’ has no say just as you have no say just as the State has no say just as the Federal Govt has no say….at least here in NC for now.
The “people” that are regulars to this site actually here the poor.
There are some real dipsticks on this forum. I know because I are one.
But chris poor forgetful Mary’s boyfriend Could pay to support for his and forgetful Mary’s child could he not and then maybe the burden would not be on the taxpayers
ME 2 i’m retired n willing to help prepare this food @ a nearby school 3 meals/week. gratis. oh! that is not what is going to happen here! the qualifying kids are going to receive ‘benefits’ from the state. somehow. to buy food: soft drinks n cookies ? if they don’t have a place to live – where are they gonna cook n eat it ?