All Massachusetts families with school aged children who qualify for free or reduced price school meals under the National School Lunch Program are eligible for P-EBT benefits. WPS is a district that provides free meals to all students, and all WPS students will receive this benefit. Households will receive $5.70 per eligible student per day ($28.50/week) for period when school has been closed. Families receiving DTA benefits will see these funds added to existing EBT card, while those families not actively receiving DTA benefits will receive a P-EBT card in the mail, for each eligible student in the household. The PIN for each card is the identified student’s year of birth. Once you get the card, do not throw it away, as additional funds will be added through the school year, and may continue for extended period. P-EBT benefits can be used at any store that accepts SNAP, and most retailers have signs stating they accept SNAP or EBT. Benefits will carry over from month to month, and will be available for a year.
If you discard the informational letter, which includes case number which is needed to activate card, here are options:
Access info at dtaconnect.com. You will need to enter the 18 digit card number, and will receive case number. Once you have case number, you can activate card, and if necessary call DTA Assistance line 1-877-383-2363 (option 6)
Please remember to hold on to cards, as funds will be added.
For more information, contact Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 800-645-8333 (TTY 800-1292). The hotline is open Monday-Friday 8 am- 7 pm, and Saturday 10 am-2 pm. Information is also available at www.mass.gov/info-details/pandemic-ebt-p-ebt