USDA Secretary Vilsack made an important announcement regarding summer EBT benefits in the United States. States, U.S. territories, and tribal nations will take part in this program helping more than 29 million children.
However, not all states have taken part in these summer EBT benefits. For example, Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia or Idaho among others have not joined this program.
Some claim that they already have a program and do not require additional federal help. Others will join in 2025. Some believe that it will be too costly to implement permanently.
WHICH TRIBAL NATIONS AND U.S. TERRITORIES ARE TAKING PART IN SUMMER EBT BENEFITS IN 2024?
All of them will take part in summer EBT benefits: American Samoa, Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the District of Columbia.
USDA believes that a healthier future is possible for the United States and it must begin with our children. It is true that this program is based on the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer and Summer EBT for kid demo projects.
Since they reduce hunger among children and enhance their diet quality, they are becoming permanent. But let’s move on to the summer EBT benefits amounts.
HOW MUCH MONEY CAN A FAMILY GET FROM THE 2024 SUMMER EBT PROGRAM?
Families with eligible children can receive $40 per child, per month. So, if you have three eligible children, you can get $120 per month. Do not worry if you are already eligible for other Food and Nutrition Service programs.
USDA claims that summer EBT works together with WIC, SNAP, and summer meal sites. In this way, FNS and USDA help children get healthy meals when schools are not open.
List of States that have summer EBT benefits in 2024:
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
ARE THERE ANY LIMITATIONS ON WHAT CAN BE PURCHASED WITH SUMMER EBT BENEFITS?
Of course, only eligible items can be bought. If you get summer EBT payments and you live in a Tribal Nation, you can use your money to buy food approved through WIC.
Summer EBT benefits will allow families to buy food at SNAP-eligible stores. So, you will be able to purchase food from Food Stamp retailers in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia.
However, if you receive summer ETB benefits in the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or American Samoa, you can use them to buy food through the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP).