Southwest Montana News

Governor Greg Gianforte and the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton have announced the distribution of $12.5 million in Summer Pandemic Electronic Transfer (Summer P-EBT) benefits to 32,000 children in Montana. This initiative aims to support families facing economic challenges due to rising prices and record inflation.

Governor Gianforte highlighted the financial difficulties faced by Montanans, stating, “With prices rising and inflation at a 41-year high, it’s more difficult for Montanans to put gas in their cars and trucks and put food on the table. This timely funding will provide a boost for hardworking families as the school year kicks off.”

Starting September 14, eligible families in Montana will receive a one-time benefit of $391 per child. DPHHS Director Brereton expressed enthusiasm about the program's impact: “We’re excited to announce thousands of Montana families will benefit from our tailored Summer P-EBT program.”

The DPHHS collaborated with the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to implement this program effectively. Cheryl Kennedy, Mountain Plains Regional Administrator of USDA’s FNS, acknowledged Montana’s efforts: “We appreciate Montana’s commitment to Summer P-EBT to ensure children have access to nutritious foods year-round, not just when school is in session.”

Eligibility for Summer P-EBT includes families with children under age six receiving SNAP benefits and school-aged children who participated in Free and Reduced Price Meals under the National School Lunch Program during the last school year. The benefit will be provided through existing EBT cards or new ones sent by mail.

Schools are required to submit data on eligible students by September 22 if they missed an earlier deadline. A second issuance of Summer P-EBT benefits is scheduled for early November for those schools.

Since its inception in 2020, P-EBT has aimed to compensate for lost access to free or reduced-price meals due to COVID-19-related school closures. Between March 2020 and August 2022, over $69 million in P-EBT benefits were distributed by DPHHS.

For inquiries regarding the program, Montanans can call 1-888-706-1535 or email hhshcsdpebt@mt.gov. Additional information is available at montanameals.org.