Let's talk about P-EBT, Worcester parents

I mentioned in my last district update that the Department of Transitional Assistance had put another $120 on P-EBT cards for Worcester Public Schools students. That, and some questions I have received subsequently, have made it clear that this was insider-y lingo and more needs to be explained. Sorry about that!

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfers came from the recognition during remote learning that students who usually would receive free lunch at school would not be able to, as the buildings were closed. As much as schools might be delivering meals, not all kids were going to get them. Thus every child who qualifies for free lunch either had money added to their family's Electronic Benefit Transfer (food stamp) card, or, for families that aren't enrolled, had a new card sent to them. This works just like food stamps: you take to the grocery story, and you can swipe it when you check out. 

For districts like Worcester, which since 2017 has had universal free lunch for K-12, this meant that all families of K-12 students, regardless of income, received the benefit. Precisely like food stamps, these are non-transferable by both the recipient and by the Department; they're for YOUR child, no one else. (And don't try; that constitutes fraud.)

So, what if your family is fortunate enough to not need the assistance? Here's my recommendation:

1. Go use the benefit in the grocery store. Doing so not only fills your cart; it destigmatizes the use of the benefit, which is important in it being used by families. Yes, families like mine/yours/all of yours use P-EBT just like all of our kids get free lunch.
   
   
2. If you are able, donate the EQUIVALENT AMOUNT OF CASH to a food bank. Food banks can make money go MUCH MUCH further than we can, and it works a thousand times better for them to get the money than to get whatever cans you pick out. If you like, include your kids in deciding where the money goes (after all, you have it because of them!). 

If you're a Worcester parent whose child just graduated, they should have also received the benefit, but some students were inadvertently left out of the data transfer; they'll get the benefit in September. 

Have questions? Didn't get it? Lost the card? There's help from DTA available online.