Pandemic EBT Update for Families

Distribution of Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) will be completed by the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) by the end of September. All data has been processed and Oregon Trail cards loaded with Pandemic EBT benefits are in the process of being dispersed to families. Originally, ODHS anticipated all outstanding families EBT cards would be in the mail by 9/11, but there have been delays due to the fires. ODHS still anticipates finishing all benefit disbursement by September 30th. If someone hasn’t received a card and anticipated receiving these benefits, please contact the P-EBT hotline (details below). ODHS will be reviewing all the school data they received from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to double-check for any children missed. They will also focus on processing any returned mail to find an accurate address and responding to families that reach out with any issues. They will be prioritizing these actions over the next few weeks.

P-EBT hotline: The hotline number is 503-945-6481, and 211 requests that families reach out via the hotline number instead of the main 211 line. 211 has multilingual staff and the ability to access interpretation services. You can also still reach out with questions and issues by email EBT.schoolmeals@dhsoha.state.or.us. If there’s an issue, such as: you didn’t receive benefits, you believe your EBT card wasn’t sent to your correct mailing address and/or you are having trouble setting up your EBT card contact the hotline or email. Your issue will be highlighted for ODHS to resolve.

Pandemic EBT benefits may be extended through September: USDA recently granted states the ability to extend Pandemic EBT for families through September 30th. ODHS and ODE recently submitted Oregon’s extension request and it is currently pending USDA’s approval. If the request is approved, then additional P-EBT benefits will be disbursed to eligible families for the month of September. Pandemic EBT for September will be primarily aimed at children who are doing virtual learning and benefits will be distributed on the same EBT card as before

Pandemic EBT & School Year 2020-21: We have received some questions on whether or not Pandemic EBT will be available for School Year 2020-21. At this point, Pandemic EBT is not available for this upcoming school year beyond September, as it would require Congress to authorize the extension of the P-EBT benefit program. This means it would be dependent on the result of Congress’ current negotiations on a COVID relief act and if they include the extension of P-EBT within the language of the relief act.

Update for Nutrition Services Fall 2020

As the 2020-21 school year gets under way, PPS will be able to provide school meals for all students at no cost through December 31, 2020. This means we will be able to offer seven days’ worth of meals every week for not just PPS students, but all Portland children ages 1-18.

We expanded our meals sites to 38 schools where families can pick up sacks of breakfast and lunch on select days, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Our regular meal service schedule will be:

• Mondays: 2 days’ worth of food

• Wednesdays: 2 days’ worth of food

• Fridays: 3 three days’ worth of food

The complete list of meal sites is at Fall 2020 Meals webpage. All sites are outside. Please wear a facemask and practice physical distancing. Eligible families seeking access to food may also request home meal delivery using the request form. Wednesday, September 30 is the last day to sign up for meal deliveries. For more information or support, please contact the Nutrition Services department at 503-916-3399 or nutritionservices@pps.net.