The state Department of Economic Security announced $116.4 million in Arizona P-EBT Pandemic School Meal Replacement Benefits will be distributed to about 370,000 children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.

This is in addition to the $65 million distributed over the past few weeks to about 206,000 eligible students who were already receiving Nutrition Assistance benefits, according to a release.

“Arizona is working to ensure kids and families have access to healthy, nutritious meals,” Gov. Doug Ducey stated. “This funding builds on our efforts to provide additional relief to those in need. My thanks to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Arizona Department of Economic Security and everyone working to support others during COVID-19.”

Distribution of benefits to families began May 12, and will continue over a thirteenday distribution period, organized by last name. DES started mailing Electronic Benefits Transfer cards May 13. Eligible families that do not receive a P-EBT card, but have children participating in the free or reduced-price school lunch program, will be able to verify their status through an online portal launching later this month.

“We want to maintain access to nutritious meals for Arizona’s children during these temporary school closures,” stated Tom Betlach, from the Office of the Director. “This second phase of benefits will provide families with additional access to healthy food for their children.”

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service authorized DES to provide Pandemic EBT following the passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The benefits will be retroactive to March 16, and are calculated based on the number of school days for which the child would have received assistance from school meal programs. Eligible families will receive $69 for March, $126 for April, and $120 for May, for each child. Families that have been accessing meals from schools during the closure are still eligible for these benefits.

Also, Mr. Ducey and DES have submitted several requests to FNS to streamline and enhance access for families. To date, the federal agency has authorized the following changes:

• Allowing SNAP participants to make online purchases for grocery items with authorized SNAP retailers;
• Increasing SNAP benefits to the maximum allotment for two months due to pandemicrelated economic conditions;
• Waiving interview requirements when determining eligibility, unless more information is needed from the applicant;
• Temporarily suspending work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents participating in SNAP;
• Extending certification periods by 6 months for recipients due to renew benefits in March, April and May; and
• Allowing for verbal attestation in place of a signature on SNAP applications when necessary.

DES will continue to work with its federal partners to provide greater assistance to Arizona families in need. To apply for Nutrition Assistance, visit healthearizonaplus.gov or call 1-855- 432-7587 from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday.