I received both of my kids this week but I haven't registered them yet. Google what you can buy with them. It's not all groceries. If you go to the grocery store, report back. I would like to know how it works.
I also got mine for my kiddo who is in public. I wonder if you can buy dry goods. Would be happy to stock up on $400 worth of TP and paper towels, enough to last through the next quarantine...
And if you do get the card but don’t need the funds, please consider buying pantry staples and donating those to a food bank. That way you’re supporting a local business and the community.
do they get free lunch in school? I thought it was any child who received free lunch so could be public, private, etc , and its coming from the feds, not NYC.
so if you try to use it at the grocery store and want to get some things that are on the ok list of things you can buy with the card and some things you cannot, how would that work?
They scan all items and the screen will show how much of the total can be charged on EBT, and you pay that. Then the balance with cash or a different card.
We are donating the value of our cards to the NYC Food Bank, one of the approved charities that dh's company is matching right now. Something to consider if you can afford it.
I’m surprised we haven’t received anything yet. DC’s are at a charter that said in an email earlier this summer that we would be included in this. Anyone else not receive theirs yet?
All grocery stores accept them. They are good for all untaxed items. The card will cover the approved items and you are left with the others to pay for yourself. I did it this morning at Trader Joe's and had to pay for my flowers and a bag of gummy mangoes.
Have not received mine yet, hmm. Public ES.
On another note, a mom (she had a kid with her) in the neighborhood stopped me to give me a flyer about donating them and ask me to donate it. It felt kinda weird because dh and I are on unemployment and could really some extra money... Am I being overly sensitive or is it awkward to be hanging out flyers on the street asking moms to donate the cards? Its making a lot of assumptions based on the way people look, no? It was also in front of my ds....
Agreed. The paperwork was clear about needing dob to register and potentially photo ID to use. You can't just pass on the cards (but you can pass on the value).
Don't take it personally. They are just trying to make sure A) the funds get used, maybe some parents will feel weird buying with EBT B) those who don't need the money may not have thought about how to help. I posted above that here in Brooklyn many supermarkets and coops have teamed up with Food banks, so you can go, shop and they will even deliver/pick up. I appreciate the convenience of it.
I received both of my kids this week but I haven't registered them yet. Google what you can buy with them. It's not all groceries. If you go to the grocery store, report back. I would like to know how it works.
I also got mine for my kiddo who is in public. I wonder if you can buy dry goods. Would be happy to stock up on $400 worth of TP and paper towels, enough to last through the next quarantine...
And if you do get the card but don’t need the funds, please consider buying pantry staples and donating those to a food bank. That way you’re supporting a local business and the community.
Here in Brooklyn some stores have arranged to have your shopping delivered to food pantries.
Or use the debit card and donate the value to your PTA
True! That’s definitely easier than my suggestion.
My DC goes to Hunter. Do you think since Hunter is public, we will get the EBT card?
do they get free lunch in school? I thought it was any child who received free lunch so could be public, private, etc , and its coming from the feds, not NYC.
No. One of my kids is also at Hunter and we only got the card for the one in the DOE public.
Ah, I see. Thanks.
so if you try to use it at the grocery store and want to get some things that are on the ok list of things you can buy with the card and some things you cannot, how would that work?
I think you have to make two separate purchases.
@MidtownMom one with cash and one with the card?
@anonymous Sure. Or one with the EBT card and the with your credit card.
They scan all items and the screen will show how much of the total can be charged on EBT, and you pay that. Then the balance with cash or a different card.
We are donating the value of our cards to the NYC Food Bank, one of the approved charities that dh's company is matching right now. Something to consider if you can afford it.
I’m surprised we haven’t received anything yet. DC’s are at a charter that said in an email earlier this summer that we would be included in this. Anyone else not receive theirs yet?
I just picked up ours from the mail box.
Families already on assistance get first. Everyone else sometime in september.
Just received ours today.
has anyone used theirs yet? can you say which stores accept them?
All grocery stores accept them. They are good for all untaxed items. The card will cover the approved items and you are left with the others to pay for yourself. I did it this morning at Trader Joe's and had to pay for my flowers and a bag of gummy mangoes.
Have not received mine yet, hmm. Public ES. On another note, a mom (she had a kid with her) in the neighborhood stopped me to give me a flyer about donating them and ask me to donate it. It felt kinda weird because dh and I are on unemployment and could really some extra money... Am I being overly sensitive or is it awkward to be hanging out flyers on the street asking moms to donate the cards? Its making a lot of assumptions based on the way people look, no? It was also in front of my ds....
From my understanding you can't transfer or donate the cards. You can buy items with the cards and donate the items.
Agreed. The paperwork was clear about needing dob to register and potentially photo ID to use. You can't just pass on the cards (but you can pass on the value).
also it presumes you dont know how charity works. "thanks, sheila! we sure do love to support our favorite causes!"
Don't take it personally. They are just trying to make sure A) the funds get used, maybe some parents will feel weird buying with EBT B) those who don't need the money may not have thought about how to help. I posted above that here in Brooklyn many supermarkets and coops have teamed up with Food banks, so you can go, shop and they will even deliver/pick up. I appreciate the convenience of it.