Rep. Dell'Aquila Issues Guidance on P-EBT Cards and Assistance for Ohio Students and Families

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Richard Dell’Aquila (D-Seven Hills) today urged district school administrators to notify families of timely deadlines regarding the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program.

“The estimated $16 million in earmarked funds that may go to waste is troubling enough, but 131,000 children and their families are in danger of losing out on these crucial food assistance funds,” said Rep. Dell’Aquila. “I hope ODJFS acts with haste to address this issue; we cannot afford to let our families’ eligibility lapse.”

Recent news detailing underutilization of earmarked P-EBT benefits has been a cause of concern. Additionally, families of students whose name appears on issued P-EBT cards have been given a limited window for card utilization, with only 274 days from issuance to expenditure.

The upcoming launch of the Summer EBT program further complicates the utilization of the current P-EBT utilization as they are mirror programs.

Families have 274 days to make a $1 purchase or larger to which they will receive 274 additional days. Dollars were disseminated in multiple iterations, so when that 274 day begins for specific districts is unclear.

Families who do not have access to issued cards, must request a new card through the P-EBT customer service line at 1-866-244-0071, Press Option 1. It is important to note that guidance has not yet been released regarding the course of action to be taken in cases where a new P-EBT card has been requested but the allocated 274-day period since issuance has already lapsed.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A letter that Rep. Dell’Aquila has sent to local school administrators is attached to this release.