Letters like the images below are being received by public school households regarding the P-EBT program providing nutritional assistance related to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some letters are incorrectly addressed to the students' Emergency Contact, instead of the parent or guardian.

In a previous report, LCPS’s Public Information Officer Patrick Holmes noted, “Participation by Lenoir County Public Schools in a USDA program that provides no-cost breakfast and lunch to all students in the district during the school year also qualifies those students to receive additional nutritional assistant through the federal government’s new Pandemic – Electronic Benefits Transfer program.

“The program, known as P-EBT, is designed to help families purchase food for their children while schools are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, supplementing meals distributed by the school district at its five emergency feeding sites.

“Families of all LCPS students are automatically enrolled in the program because the school district operates its breakfast and lunch program under the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which is available to school districts with a high percentage of low-income students.”

Greene County Schools updated parents on the issue with the contact information for the P-EBT cards. “We wanted to let you know of an issue that has arisen with the P-EBT cards. When DPI [North Carolina Department of Public Instruction] pulled the data from PowerSchool, the first emergency contact was pulled instead of the parent's name. The physical address was also pulled instead of the mailing address. Many of you will receive the cards at your address but the name of your emergency contact will be on the envelope. The state is aware of this issue and they are working to find a resolution. We will share updates from the state as they are shared with us. Thank you.”

David Moody, Assistant Superintendent of Jones County Public Schools, noted, “Although we have no confirmed issues. We know this is a problem state-wide.”

NCDPI is aware of the issue is actively working to determine the next steps.