More than 82,000 public school students in Maine are eligible for free or reduced-price meals as part of a new federal program aimed at helping families cope with the pandemic.

Maine is among 20 states participating in the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program, which was signed into law on March 18. Many of the eligible students already receive aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, said Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine.

“I’m grateful for this move, which is another critical component of our plan to keep Maine’s children healthy,” she said.