Deadline approaching to apply for free, reduced-price school meals

SALT LAKE CITY — Parents who are trying to get free or reduced meals for their kids in Utah schools have until May 6 to apply for a pandemic program.

The Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) can help you purchase food if your children have temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals because of COVID-19 issues.

The Utah State Board of Education said P-EBT will work differently this year because of fewer COVID-related school closures and absences.

During the current school year, all students can get a free breakfast and lunch every day they go to school. There is no income restriction, but students do not qualify automatically for P-EBT or free-reduced status. They must apply for that program through their school.

Check this list to see if your child’s school qualifies for the program.

Information on how to contact your school can be found here.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR P-EBT

Eligibility for the P-EBT program is determined by three factors:

• your school’s participation in the National School Lunch Program
• your student’s free or reduced-price school meal status
• the days a school was closed due to COVID-19 or your student was remotely or virtually attending school due to an excused COVID-19 absence

“We would encourage you to contact your local school if you would like to apply for free or reduced-price meals. Applications for the 2021-2022 school year must be submitted online with your school or postmarked by May 6, 2022,” a news release from the Board of Education said.