P-EBT Program

Pandemic EBT Food Assistance

Debbie Dever

September 1, 2021

Oregon approved to issue an additional $167 million in Pandemic EBT food assistance to 430,000 children

Need to know:

  • Current recipients of P-EBT benefits for the 2020 - 2021 school year will automatically receive an additional $389 per child in food assistance that will be received as two payments in September and October. There is no need to apply.
  • If your child has not applied and been approved for free or reduced price meals at school, you can still receive P-EBT food assistance for the summer if you apply online at the Oregon Department of Education website by September 4.
  • Oregon will provide approximately $591 million in food assistance for children from July through October 2021.
  • P-EBT is a benefit program separate from meals currently provided at no charge to children and students. These meals do not impact P-EBT eligibility or benefits.

Three ways children receive P-EBT food assistance

There are three ways children receive benefits:

  • If the child’s household currently participates in SNAP or TANF, their P-EBT benefits will be deposited into the household’s EBT account.
  • Children who already have a P-EBT card will continue to receive food assistance on their current card.
  • Children new to the P-EBT program whose household does not participate in SNAP or TANF will receive a P-EBT card in the mail at the address on file with their school.

P-EBT cards look different than the Oregon Trail EBT cards issued to SNAP households.

Visit pebt.oregon.gov for more information about the P-EBT program.

P-EBT does not replace any child nutrition program already offered and families are encouraged to continue to participate in meal programs in their communities.  

P-EBT is separate from SNAP benefits including emergency allotments that are also being issued due to the impact of COVID-19. P-EBT benefits are not considered in a public charge test.

Resources to help meet basic needs