Students may be eligible for Pandemic-EBT

Beginning this fall, students who have missed 5 or more consecutive days of school due to an approved COVID absence are eligible for Pandemic-EBT relief from the State of New Mexico.

According to a news release from the offices of Clovis Municipal Schools, in order to receive P-EBT benefits, medical documentation of a student’s positive test results must be provided.

Proof of a positive, laboratory-confirmed test result can be provided to school office staff or the school nurse.

At home COVID test results will not be accepted as verification for P-EBT benefits. In the event positive COVID results were obtained through an at-home test, laboratory-confirmation of the results must be provided.

This documentation will also serve as verification for the purpose of excusing the student’s absence/s from school due to COVID.

The P-EBT benefit will be provided for the duration of the absence only. For example, if absent 5 days, the student will receive 5 days of P-EBT funds. Previously, the state issued P-EBT benefits to students based upon the economic status of the school zone in which they attended, with the intention of assisting families with meal needs during time away from school.

According to the news release, that assistance was ended, with final P-EBT distribution taking place over spring and summer of the 2021/22 school year.

For additional information, families should contact the office staff or nurse at their child’s school. K-12 students do not need to be currently receiving SNAP food benefits in order to qualify for P-EBT.

It is important to note that while the district is assisting to connect families with these state resources, this program is provided and managed by the New Mexico Department of Human Services in partnership with the New Mexico Public Education Department.

For specific questions and/or concerns about past or future P-EBT benefits, families should call the NM PEBT Hotline at 1-833-415-0569.