Upcoming Deadline for Pandemic EBT Program

August 10, 2020

Dear Friend,

I would like to remind you of the upcoming deadline to apply for the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program, which is Friday, August 14 at 4:30 PM Central Time.

The P-EBT program was created by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and is designed to replace meals lost during the months of March, April, and May due to COVID-19 school closures. Children are eligible for P-EBT benefits of $5.70 per day if their school closed because of COVID-19 and if they qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. Parents who already collect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits currently do not need to apply. Parents who do not receive SNAP or TANF benefits must apply online at the Tennessee Department of Human Services' website here. Applications must be submitted before the registration's deadline on Friday, August 14, 2020 at 4:30 PM. Qualifying families who do not receive SNAP or TANF will receive a P-EBT card in the mail that can be used to purchase food at any establishment that accepts EBT or online with Amazon and Walmart.

For questions, you can contact the TDHS hotline at 1-833-496-0661 or the Shelby County Family Assistance Office at 901-320-7200 & 901-344-5040. The Shelby County Family Assistance Office can also be reached by email at ShelbyFA.CaseVerification.DHS@tn.gov.

As your Representative, I recognize that these are incredibly challenging times and that additional federal assistance is critical in supporting Shelby County families amid this global health pandemic. Please rest assured that I will continue fighting for EBT benefits, and your other critical needs, during this instability.

If you have other questions related to the P-EBT program or COVID-19 relief, please do not hesitate to contact a staff member in my office at 901-544-4131. My office also regularly updates a directory of coronavirus-related resources on my website Cohen.House.gov.

As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,

Steve Cohen
Member of Congress