Local families that meet free and reduced cost school lunch guidelines will automatically receive additional aid through the Pandemic EBT program. The funding is temporary and goes to families with children aged 5-18. Families that already have a Bridge Card as part of the Food Assistance Program will have $193.80 added for each eligible student by the end of April and another $182.40 added for May and June. Families who qualify but don’t currently have a Bridge Card will get one in the mail, automatically, in the name of the oldest child. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, families who are not already receiving food assistance benefits should have received MDHHS notices in the mail last week, with the EBT cards arriving by the first week of May. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 33% of St. Clair County students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
