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WASHINGTON – Today, Reps. Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11)
and Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) for approving the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family
Service’s proposal to operate a Pandemic Electronic Benefits
Transfer (EBT) program. As schools in the state remain closed in
response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, approval of the
Pandemic EBT program will enable Ohio to provide an EBT card with
the value of missed school meals to families with children who have
lost access to free and reduced priced meals.
“With schools in Ohio closed through the remainder of the school
year, countless students are at risk of going hungry as they have
limited or no access to daily, nutritious school meals,” said Rep.
Fudge. “School districts across the state are working hard to
deliver packed meals to students and establish pickup sites, but
these methods are difficult to execute during a pandemic as
participation remains low among students. The Pandemic EBT program
will provide schools with another tool to fight childhood hunger,
giving children and their families continued access to healthy food
during this crisis.”
“Folks across Northern Ohio are struggling as a result of COVID-19,”
said Rep. Kaptur. “Families are facing unprecedented food
insecurity, job loss, and grave uncertainty. We must ensure our
children are protected and fed while school programs begin to
transition for the summer. Pandemic EBT is a critical source of
funding to families to ensure children do not have to miss a meal. I
am pleased to work with Congresswoman Fudge to help Ohio’s families
during these harrowing circumstances.”
Reps. Fudge and Bobby Scott (VA-3), Chairman of the Education and
Labor Committee, introduced the Pandemic EBT Act (H.R. 6200) on
March 11, 2020 to provide USDA with the authority to approve state
plans to provide emergency benefits to households with children who
would have received free or reduced-price school meals if not for
the closure of their school due to the public health emergency. The
measure was subsequently included in the Families First Coronavirus
Response Act (H.R. 6201), which was enacted into law on March 18,
2020.
On March 20, 2020, Reps. Fudge and Scott sent a letter urging USDA
to act swiftly to implement Pandemic EBT and give states flexibility
to tailor the program to best fit their needs during the ongoing
coronavirus pandemic. Since then, 24 states have been approved to
operate the program.
Conor Fryer | Press Assistant/Legislative Correspondent
Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) |
