600K KY children could get EBT money for food this summer. See if your child qualifies

More than 30 million children participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s breakfast and lunch programs during the school year.

But when that last school bell rings and summer begins, many of those children miss out on low- or no-cost healthy meals. Research has even connected school closures to an increased risk of food insecurity at home.

Summer meal programs exist to help families bridge the gap between school years, but historically, they’ve only served a fraction of eligible children. Only about 1 in 6 children who eat free and reduced-price lunch participate in the summer meals program.

Starting this summer, a federal program that aims to put assistance directly in the hands of low-income families is expanding nationwide. Summer EBT, also known as SUN Bucks, doesn’t require families to travel to a designated meal site, which can be a barrier for households where both parents work or there’s limited transportation options.

Instead, $120 per child is loaded onto the participating family’s electronic benefit transfer (or EBT) card, which is provided through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. Parents can shop for nutritious food on their own time.

New this year, Summer EBT is expanding to 35 states, including Kentucky. According to a USDA news release, it will serve almost 21 million children and provide about $2.5 billion in grocery benefits.

It comes at a critical time, too. According to new data from Feeding America, nearly 265,000 people in Central and Eastern Kentucky are experiencing hunger, representing a 20% increase from last year’s data release. This includes the 1 in 4 children who are not being nourished. Kentucky is the seventh most food-insecure state in the country.

The USDA estimates Kentucky alone could receive up to $72 million via this benefit, with up to 600,000 commonwealth children eligible.

Here’s a quick rundown of Summer EBT, including where and what you can buy with the grocery benefit, plus, what to know about eligibility and applying.

Do I need to apply? How do I know if my family is eligible?

Generally, children who are eligible to receive free or reduced-price school meals through the USDA’s national school meal programs are also eligible for Summer EBT. What that means is they don’t need to take any additional steps to receive the grocery benefit.

“Most eligible children will get SUN Bucks automatically without any further action,” a USDA spokesperson told the Herald-Leader in response to emailed questions about applying for the program. “This includes children in households that participate in other assistance programs like SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.”

In some cases, families will need to apply to receive the benefit. To do that, get in touch with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and its Kentucky Summer EBT program.

According to the program’s eligibility quick reference guide, “Students aged 6-17 as of August 1, 2023 who have received SNAP, KTAP, and/or Kinship Care for at least one month since July 1, 2023 are eligible and will automatically receive benefits. You do not need to submit an application.”

For children who fall outside that category, the guide lists income requirements that vary by household size and school year.

Applications submitted on or before Aug. 15 will be considered for summer 2024 benefits. You can apply online at kysebt.ky.gov or at kynect.ky.gov/benefits.

It’s also worth noting you do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply and qualify for SUN Bucks. According to the USDA, applying for or receiving SUN Bucks does not affect the immigration status of children or their family members. It doesn’t impact the ability to:

• Remain in the U.S.

• Obtain or keep a green card or permanent legal resident status

• Become a U.S. citizen

Where and what can I use Summer EBT for?

According to the USDA, you can use Summer EBT dollars to pay for:

• Fruits and vegetables

• Meat, poultry and fish

• Dairy products

• Breads and cereals

• Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages

Summer EBT cannot be used to purchase hot food, pet food, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products or medicine.

Many grocery stores, farmers’ markets, convenience stores and online retailers will accept Summer EBT payment. To find a retailer nearby, use the USDA’s SNAP Retailer Locator.

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