SCHOOL LUNCH REIMBURSEMENT PROBLEMS

Thousands of Santa Rosa County families who qualify for free or reduced lunch programs did not receive a state-issued Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer – or P-EBT- card that was intended to help with food costs related to the COVID-19 shutdown. However, other families who didn’t qualify for free or reduced lunch, got a card, and say they don’t know why they received it or what to do with it. The program was enacted in May to provide temporary assistance for households with children affected by school closures during the coronavirus pandemic and the cards are intended to reimburse families for missed meals after schools shut down in March. The cards come loaded with up to $313, based on 55 days’ worth of the free and reduced lunch cost of $5.70 per day.