Families with children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals at their schools —regardless of immigration status —may notice something in the mail to help them buy groceries.
The Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer card, or P-EBT, from the Department of Social Services is an emergency disaster benefit that can be used to buy food and groceries, including online at Walmart and Amazon.
Betzabe Castillo, who has a 9-year-old son at a public school in Stockton, California, was among the first to receive the P-EBT cards.
Jason Montiel, a spokesman for the social services department, said the state is offering additional assistance to children who are eligible for free or reduced price meals while school is closed.
For more information about the P-EBT card visit:
interested should apply between May 22 and June 30:
https://ca.p-ebt.org/
If you have questions regarding public charge, visit:
García is a reporter with La Opinión.
