The Summer EBT program ensures that qualifying families whose children receive free and reduced school lunches during the school year will receive $40 per child in federally-funded, pre-loaded SNAP / EBT cards for every month of summer break. Launching this year, Summer EBT will continue to be a permanent program going forward.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released an Interim Final Rule for the Summer EBT program, which details the way the program must be set up and what is required for implementation. Summer EBT is a state administered program. Some states are citing the administrative burden as a reason they are not moving forward with implementing the program. As of April 2024, 36 States, Washington D.C., all 5 territories, and 4 Indian Tribal Organizations have committed to run the program in 2024.
The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) and the Southern Economic Advancement Project (SEAP) are working to ensure all states implement Summer EBT in Summer 2025. This resource highlights the flexibilities and aid that USDA is providing states to lessen the administrative burden.
Click the link below to read more about the administrative components of Summer EBT that states are responsible for, and the ways USDA is proposing to help.