The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services on Friday announced it has submitted a plan for federal approval to continue a children's food assistance program.
Earlier this year, advocates urged Montana officials to submit a plan to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Pandemic Electronic Transfer benefits (P-EBT) to keep the program running in summer 2022 for eligible children. The program, created in 2020, provides nutrition benefits to families who lost access to free or reduced-cost school meals due to reduced school days or closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state health department previously cited a drop in need, as well as administrative workload, in opting against submitting a plan for the funding, Montana Public Radio previously reported. Montana DPHHS Director Adam Meier said in a press release Friday that flexibilities at the federal level allowed the department to resubmit a plan to cover the 2021-2022 school year.
The department had previously submitted plans and received funding for the 2020-2021 school year, as well as the 2021 summer. The department said in Friday's press release it administered $66 million between March 2020 and August 2021.
By applying for the 2021-2022 school year, Montana can apply for the coming summer. The state health department anticipates that summer 2022 benefits will be available to children ages 0-17.
The department had previously submitted plans and received funding for the 2020-2021 school year, as well as the 2021 summer. The department said in Friday's press release it administered $66 million between March 2020 and August 2021.
By applying for the 2021-2022 school year, Montana can apply for the coming summer. The state health department anticipates that summer 2022 benefits will be available to children ages 0-17.
In its release, DPHHS said the U.S. Department of Agriculture has not yet indicated if the funds will be made available for the 2022-2023 school year.
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