Sunshine, vacations, and lazy days – summer conjures up images of carefree childhood. But for many families struggling with food insecurity, the summer months present a different reality. With school meals no longer available, the burden of providing nutritious food for children can become overwhelming. Fortunately, California is stepping up to the plate with the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program, a beacon of hope that promises brighter summers for children in need.
A Summer Lifeline: Understanding the Need
Food insecurity is a significant challenge in the United States, impacting millions of children across the country. According to Feeding America, in 2022, one in six children experienced food insecurity. In California, despite its relative wealth, 1 in 5 children face hunger. This issue becomes particularly acute during the summer months when school meal programs, a critical source of nutrition for many children, are no longer available.
While Summer EBT is a critical step towards alleviating childhood hunger during the summer months, it’s important to recognize it as part of a broader effort to address food insecurity. Here are some additional initiatives working in tandem with Summer EBT:
- Summer Food Service Program (SFSP): This federally funded program provides free meals and snacks to children in low-income communities during the summer months.
- Seamless Summer Option: This program allows schools to serve meals in a more flexible setting, such as parks and community centers, making them more accessible to children.
- Community food banks and pantries: These local organizations play a crucial role in providing emergency food assistance to families in need throughout the year, including during the summer months.
By combining the Summer EBT program with these existing initiatives, California is creating a comprehensive safety net to ensure that no child goes hungry during the summer.
What is the Summer EBT Program?
The Summer EBT Program is an initiative set to launch in the summer of 2024 by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children (SEBTC) program is designed to address child hunger and enhance the nutritional intake of children during the summer months when schools are not in session.
Drawing inspiration from the USDA’s Summer EBT for Children demonstration projects and the Pandemic EBT, the Summer EBT program aims to empower low-income families with additional resources for purchasing groceries during the summer.
This program extends food benefits to families with school-aged children who have limited income when schools are closed for the summer. Families will receive pre-loaded cards that can be used to buy groceries, providing crucial support during the summer months.
California map with food insecurity statistics
The Summer EBT program, launched in 2024, aims to bridge this gap. Recognizing the vital role of proper nutrition in a child’s development, California is joining a growing number of states offering this vital summer support.
Eligibility and Access: Reaching the Children Who Need It Most
The Summer EBT program in California is designed to reach children who are most vulnerable to food insecurity during the summer months. Here’s a breakdown of the eligibility criteria:
- Children: Any child enrolled in Kindergarten through 12th grade in a public school during the 2023-2024 school year in California is eligible.
- Families: Children must be from households that participate in the CalFresh program (California’s SNAP program) or that are deemed categorically eligible for CalFresh based on their income.
The primary aim of the Summer EBT program is to alleviate food insecurity for children who lose access to free and reduced-price meals provided by the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) during the summer break
To qualify for the 2024 Summer EBT benefits, your child must meet one of the following conditions in the current 2023-2024 school year:
- Be approved and participating in the free or reduced-price school meals program at an eligible NSLP/SBP school.
- Attend a NSLP/SBP-participating special provision school (CEP or Provision 2 or 3).
- Attend a NSLP/SBP-participating school and be certified eligible through a Summer EBT application.
- Be determined directly eligible (through SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid benefits), even if they do not attend a NSLP/SBP school.
Households can establish eligibility for the 2024 Summer EBT at any point between the start of the school year and the last day of the 2023-2024 school year summer period.
No separate application is required for the Summer EBT program. Eligible children will automatically receive the benefits on their existing CalFresh EBT cards. This streamlined approach ensures that families facing food insecurity can seamlessly access this vital support.
Benefits that Make a Difference: Fueling Healthy and Happy Summers
The Summer EBT program provides significant financial assistance to families during the critical summer months. Here’s what eligible children will receive:
- Amount: Each eligible child will receive $40 per month for 3 months, totaling $120 over the summer.
- Timing: Benefits will be loaded onto EBT cards automatically, with the exact start date varying by school district but generally falling between June and August 2024.
Child Happily Receiving Summer EBT Benefits
What can families purchase with Summer EBT? Similar to regular CalFresh benefits, Summer EBT can be used to purchase a wide range of eligible food items at authorized retailers, including:
- Fruits and vegetables: From juicy berries to vibrant greens, a rainbow of fresh produce for essential vitamins and minerals.
- Dairy products: Milk, cheese, and yogurt to support bone health and growth.
- Meat, poultry, and fish: Lean protein sources for building and repairing tissues.
- Eggs: A versatile and affordable source of protein and choline.
- Bread, cereal, rice, and pasta: Filling carbohydrates for sustained energy.
- Beans: A nutritional powerhouse packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.
- Other essential groceries: From cooking oils and spices to healthy snacks, families can fill their pantries with the ingredients for nutritious meals.
By providing access to these essential food items, Summer EBT empowers families to nourish their children’s bodies and minds throughout the summer, setting them up for
Summer EBT cannot be utilized for the acquisition of:
- Hot foods
- Pet foods
- Cleaning or household supplies
- Personal hygiene items
- Medicine
When will the 2024 California Summer EBT Benefits be Distributed?
Unfortunately, it’s still too early to know the exact start date for distributing the 2024 California Summer EBT benefits. The program is relatively new, launched in 2024, and specific details for each summer distribution are still being finalized.
However, we can give you some helpful information based on what we know so far:
- Timeline: Generally, the benefits will be distributed between June and August 2024. The exact starting date will depend on the individual school district.
- Variations by District: Each school district in California has some autonomy in determining its specific timeline for Summer EBT distribution. This may involve factors like scheduling, logistics, and resource availability.
- How to Stay Informed: To get the latest updates on the start date for your specific school district, you can check the following resources:
- California Department of Social Services Summer EBT webpage: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/calfresh
- Your child’s school district website or social media pages: Many districts actively communicate important information like Summer EBT dates through their official channels.
- Contacting your local CalFresh office: They can provide specific information about the program and distribution timeline in your area.
Remember, you don’t need to take any additional action to receive the benefits if your child is already enrolled in CalFresh or is deemed categorically eligible. The benefits will be automatically loaded onto your existing CalFresh EBT card once the distribution starts in your district.