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Philly school families get pandemic cash bonus for food, so those who don’t need it plan donation drive | Billy Penn

Since the entire city district usually gets free lunch, P-EBT cards go to everyone.

Under the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Pennsylvania is distributing more than $300 million in SNAP benefits to families whose children are eligible for free lunch.

Because all Philadelphia public school students receive free lunch at school, all families are eligible to receive an extra $365 in pandemic aid — even those that are financially secure.

Almost one third of the money Pennsylvania is distributing via P-EBT cards will go to households who weren’t previously eligible. The emergency distribution is happening so people who’ve been financially impacted by the coronavirus don’t have to fill out paperwork to prove their kids’ need, potentially bogging down the whole system in the process.

By Michaela Winberg, Billy Penn
Featured Image, DANYA HENNINGER / BILLY PENN
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