Some California kids qualify for up to $147 in food benefits. Is your family eligible?

Free groceries are on the way to eligible California households through a final round of pandemic relief food benefits.

According to the California Department of Social Services, Pandemic EBT is giving money to school children (transitional kindergarten through 12th grade) who attend school online or otherwise missed instruction because of COVID-19 during the last academic year.

According to a letter obtained by The Sacramento Bee, eligible families will receive up to $147 each month of the 2022-23 school year.

P-EBT 4.0 benefits will also go to young children (under 6) who are not enrolled in school but receive CalFresh benefits.

The federal food program — a partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Department of Education — provides eligible households with cash for food in addition to free or reduced meals at daycare or school. P-EBT 4.0 cards are automatically sent to eligible families and can be swiped at most supermarkets, farmers markets and online retailers like Amazon.

Cash cannot be used on hot meals or at restaurants, according to the California Department of Social Services.

Here’s what to know about P-EBT 4.0 eligibility requirements and how much families should expect to be paid:

Is my child eligible for P-EBT 4.0?

According to the California Department of Social Services, your child is eligible for food benefits through P-EBT 4.0 if they meet the following requirements:

YOUNG CHILDREN

• Under 6 as of Aug. 1, 2022, and live in a home that receives CalFresh benefits between August 2022 and May 2023

SCHOOL CHILDREN

• Went to a school that participated in the School Breakfast Program or National School Lunch Program during the 2022-23 academic year.

AND

• Eligible for free or reduced school meals during the 2022-23 academic year

AND

• Attended school online during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years or had at least five excused absences in one month

How much money is coming?

YOUNG CHILDREN

According to the California Department of Social Services, your child will receive up to $36 per month for each month they were given CalFresh benefits in the 2022-23 academic year, between August 2022 and May 2023.

Final amounts are dependent on last school year’s monthly meal reduction claims from the Child and Adult Care Food Program, according to the state department’s website.

SCHOOL CHILDREN

Children get $8.18 for each day they missed in-person classes during the 2022-23 school year.

The rule extends to days your child attended school online or had more than five excused absences in one month.

When will my family receive Pandemic EBT benefits?

According to the California Department of Social Services; funds are mailed based on your child’s age, date of eligibility and first name.

YOUNG CHILDREN

• Eligible between August 2022 and December 2022 - Cards shipped in August.
• Eligible between January and August - Money was reloaded onto cards in September.
• First time cardholders only eligible between August 2022 and May 2023 - Cards shipped in September

SCHOOL CHILDREN

Your child may still be eligible

If your child had fewer than five excused absences in one month or did not attend a school enrolled in the National School Lunch Program during the 2022-23 school year, they may still be eligible for benefits.

If your child meets the other requirements, call the P-EBT helpline at 877-328-9677 (6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday).

Applications for P-BET benefits closed in August.

This story was originally published September 13, 2023 at 5:30 AM.