Brendan Fitzpatrick
12 September 2023
News

State Offers Final Round of Pandemic EBT Benefits to Students

The final round of pandemic EBT benefits are being released to students across Massachusetts.

BOSTON - The final round of pandemic EBT benefits are being released to students across Massachusetts.

Governor Maura Healey recently made the announcement, as students in virtual learning settings due to the coronavirus pandemic as well as children up to five years old in child care programs will be eligible to receive free or reduced-cost lunches this school year. These benefits will be available to children not enrolled in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National School Lunch Program.

The money has been made available through the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Through Saturday, September 30, eligible families will be able to apply for retroactive pandemic EBT families. To learn more, visit mass.gov.

Further articles

Local school leaders are progressing through a feasibility study to develop a plan for a new elementary school along Bethany Road, which would replace Hemenway Elementary. The company brought on board for the process estimates that construction could begin in September 2028.

About 23% of registered Framingham voters cast a ballot in 2025. Charlie Sisitsky defeated Geoff Epstein to win another term as mayor, while John Stefanini and Mary Kate Feeney won in their respective City Council races. Brandon Ward and Michael Cannon were reelected to the local legislative board, while Lorena Tovar and Brent Lewis were victorious in their School Committee bids. Changes to the city's Home Rule Charter received overwhelming support as well.

November’s funding for the food program—otherwise known as food stamps—remains uncertain amid the federal government shutdown. In turn, organizations such as Daniel’s Table are experiencing a rise in demand.