Follow up on this story, https://nyti.ms/36z6k9u , in @sltrib and my tweet yesterday. Jon Pierpont, ED of @JobsUT, says DWS’s decision not to participate in the federal Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) program (subsidized meal benefits for eligible children) was not made lightly. #utpol 1/

DWS says it currently doesn’t have the capacity to identify eligible households to receive P-EBT benefits before the 6/30/2020 federal deadline for distributing those benefits. DWS has opted into the Emergency Allotment program for SNAP. 2/

The SNAP Emergency Allotment addresses some of the needs for the children at risk. DWS is working with the Utah State Board of Education and others to prepare their system for participation if P-EBT is extended into the 20/21 school year. 3/

Utah is one of 17 states that did not opt into the P-EBT program with the advent of COVID-19. I have asked Director Pierpont some follow up questions and will provide more information when I receive it. 4/4