September 11, 2023

North Clay Families have been receiving cards in the mail over the past number of days.  These cards are arriving to NC households as part of the district's participation in the CEP (Community Eligibility Provision) which results in all NC students to receive free breakfast and lunches.  

The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program is part of the U.S. government response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the program is to provide food assistance to families with students who are attending school from home and would have received free or reduced meals at school.  Because all NC students are now receiving free breakfast and lunches as part of the CEP program, all students were automatically enrolled to be a part of the P-EBT program.

Eligible families don’t need to apply for the cards. The card can be used at most major grocery stores to purchase food. One card will be issued for each child, so families with more than one child will receive multiple cards.  Instructions to access and use the cards are included with your card(s) that arrived in the mail. 

For more information and FAQ's please visit the Illinois Department of Human Services. Families can also contact the DHS toll-free P-EBT Helpline number at 1-833-621-0737. Families can also send an email to pebt@isbe.net.