NC approved to continue P-EBT Food Assistance Benefits during the 2022-23 School Year

Charlotte - NC. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced it has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to operate the Pandemic Electrónic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program during the 2022-23 school year. 

The P-EBT program this school year will continue until the federal COVID-19 public health emergency ends on May 11, 2023. The first rounds of benefits for K-12 students and young children in child care are targeted to be issued in March and will cover benefits accrued from September 2022 through February 2023.

The P-EBT program helps eligible K-12 students and young children who cannot access free or reduced-price meals at school or in child care centers due to COVID-19 related absences or closures. For these children, the P-EBT program provides benefits on a debit-like card that can be used to buy food at authorized retailers, including most major grocery stores. With most students now receiving meals in school, many will no longer get P-EBT or will receive only a small amount when the student experiences a COVID-19 related absence.