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Ohio Department of Education Topic News

EMIS Newsflash – May 5, 2022

5/5/2022

Summer 2022 Pandemic-EBT Program Data Submission
Earlier this week, the following communication outlining the next submission for Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) data was sent to superintendents and food service directors. We know many districts rely on their EMIS coordinators to help submit these data and wanted to make sure you saw the letter about the summer reporting requirements.
 
Dear Superintendent, EMIS Coordinator and Food Service Director:
 
The Ohio Department of Education and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services would like to thank Ohio schools and school districts for the ongoing collaborative efforts of school food service directors, EMIS coordinators, principals, administrative staff and countless other professionals in submitting the Pandemic-Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) data during the 2021-2022 school year. Although P-EBT is permitted by federal law for summer 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has not yet issued guidance for P‑EBT benefits distribution. However, we anticipate the process will be similar to summer 2021. To be mindful of schools soon closing 2021-2022 operations, the collection of all free and reduced-price eligible meal student data is occurring now in anticipation of guidance and program approval. The purpose of this email is to request your assistance in identifying students to receive this important benefit this summer.
 
The P‑EBT program provides families who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The daily benefit amount is $7.10 (the federal reimbursement rate for breakfast, lunch and snack). It is unknown how many P-EBT benefit days students will receive in summer 2022.
 
The summer P-EBT is not dependent on students’ remote education status or if the students received P‑EBT during the 2022 school year. All free or reduced-price meal eligible students qualify for the benefit. The Ohio Department of Education is requesting schools and districts submit a comprehensive list of currently enrolled students (including end-of-school year graduating students) meeting the following criteria:
  • Direct certification or other categorical eligibility category (foster, homeless, migrant, runaway or Head Start) for school year 2021-2022; or
  • Certified through a free or reduced-price student meal application for school year 2021‑2022; or
  • Enrolled in a Community Eligibility Provision school or school operating under Provision 2 in school year 2021-2022; or
  • Certified by a free or reduced-price student meal application in school year 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 and the school district has not made a new school meal eligibility determination for the child in school year 2021-2022.
 
Instructions to submit data: 
All schools and districts must submit their data through a secure data link within the P-EBT portal currently used to submit P‑EBT data for remote education. Schools and districts will receive an email with the secure link from pebt-support@ohio-k12.org.

The data file format is the same as the file format for submitting COVID-related P-EBT data during the school year with one exception, the columns for number of benefit days are omitted.
 
The portal is open for summer P‑EBT data collection and will close on June 3 at 4 p.m. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has not yet provided guidance for new applications received in the summer. Schools and districts should collect free or reduced-price meal applications through the summer. Guidance will be shared as soon as received.
 
For questions about the process, contact Brigette Hires, Ohio Department of Education, at (614) 425-9760 or Brigette.Hires@education.ohio.gov. Thank you for your support and assistance as we work together to feed more children in Ohio.
 
Sincerely,
 
Dr. Stephanie K. Siddens
Interim State Superintendent of Public Instruction