Over $1 Billion in Food Benefits for Children in Texas

Yesterday (May 12th), Governor Greg Abbott announced that due to COVID-19-related school closures, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will provide more than $1 billion in food benefits to families with children who have lost access to free or discounted school meals .

This program will provide a one-time benefit of $285 per child, which can be used in the same way as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program with benefits to pay for groceries.

Governor Abbott said "I thank the U.S. Department of Agriculture for providing these emergency benefits to Texas families, and for the swift action of our state agencies to administer these benefits across the state. This program will expand access to healthy and nutritious food for families and children in need as the state continues to respond to COVID-19."

More than three million children in Texas are certified to receive free or reduced-price meals at school during the 2019-2020 school year.

Visit hhs.texas.gov/pebt for more details.