FNS Requests State/Tribal Letters of Intent for New Summer EBT Program

It may only be Thanksgiving week and the year’s coldest days are still ahead of us, but it’s never too early to start thinking about next summer, especially for kids in need of nutritional assistance. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is now requesting official notices from states and tribal nations that intend to operate a new, permanent summer nutrition assistance program for children known as Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT).

Chickasaw Nation, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia were among the first to submit plans to implement Summer EBT for next year, and FNS anticipates more will follow. Under the program, recipients can provide grocery benefits to families with eligible school-aged children during the summer months, reducing food insecurity and helping an estimated 29 million children get the nutrition they need.

Although the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs assist children during the school year, kids lose access to meals when school are closed during the summer and are at higher risk of food and nutrition insecurity. After select states and tribal nations pilot tested summer food assistance demonstrations, Congress passed legislation in late 2022 officially creating the Summer EBT program, which is the first new federal nutrition program in decades. It supports families with $40 each summer month per eligible child to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, or other authorized retailers, similar to how Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are used. 

In addition to Summer EBT, USDA summer nutrition programs include group meal service at central locations, such as schools, camps and community centers, as well as the option to provide grab-n-go or home-delivered meals in many rural communities. Summer EBT is an additional benefit and does not replace these summer meal programs. FNS encourages families to participate in all summer nutrition programs available to them.

To offer Summer EBT benefits in 2024, states and tribal nations should submit a notice of intent by Jan.1, 2024. Having food over the summer for millions of children is definitely something to be thankful for.

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Federal Grants Forum | Dec. 6-8, 2023 | San Juan, P.R.