Summer EBT
The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (Summer EBT) is a new federal nutrition program that provides grocery benefits during the summer months to families with children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.
Outreach and communications to families with children eligible for Summer EBT is critical. As a new program, families will be learning about Summer EBT for the first time in 2024. Simple, clear, and effective communication is especially important for Summer EBT because families with eligible children can receive Summer EBT in different ways. For instance, many families with school-aged children will automatically receive Summer EBT benefits with an EBT card mailed to them, while others who are eligible will need to apply. Clear communication will ensure eligible families know the information they need to access and participate in the program.
The Summer EBT Materials Checklist, as seen below, provides guidance on how to ensure that the communication to families includes all the critical elements to support families in utilizing Summer EBT, including easily understandable information, clear directives, and appropriate accessibility.
The United States Department of Agriculture has a Summer EBT outreach toolkit for state agencies and community partners to use.
No Kid Hungry is providing state/territory/tribal agencies with customizable materials that can be added directly to agency websites to provide stakeholders with easily understandable information about Summer EBT.
Because of differences in how Summer EBT agencies are implementing this program, these resources are designed to be customized at the state/territory/tribe level and then distributed to any partners that may be helping families navigate access to Summer EBT.
Here are a preview of some of the resources available:
Eligibility Navigator
This interactive tool can be used to help households understand if a child may be eligible for Summer EBT. Once customized for your state/territory/tribe, it can be embedded into websites, linked to resources, and circulated to partners who may help families understand eligibility.
CLICK HERE to watch a demonstration of how the eligibility navigator can be used.
Eligibility Overview
This one-page overview is designed to explain who is eligible for the program, who will receive it automatically, and who needs to apply. Its target audience is families as well as schools and other organizations that will support families in understanding Summer EBT.
This image showcases the customizable Summer EBT overview that state agencies can personalize and put on their websites.
Income Guidelines
The Summer EBT Income Eligibility Guidelines will show you the highest household income that is eligible for Summer EBT benefits if you must apply for benefits. To see if you will need to apply for benefits, use our eligibility tool or your state's eligibility tool if it has one. If your child does not receive Summer EBT benefits automatically, you must apply for benefits. For families applying for Summer EBT benefits, household income must be under the maximum income limits for your household size that's allowed for Summer EBT (185% of the federal poverty level). The income limits are based on where your child lives and the number of people in your child's household. Enter your child's state/territory of residence and household size to view the maximum income limits for Summer EBT for your household. Click here to determine your eligibility. Access the Spanish language version HERE.
Household Size:
Annual | Monthly | Twice per Month | Every Two Weeks | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Your household is eligible for Summer EBT if your income is no more than annually, monthly, twice per month, every two weeks, or weekly.
School Checklist
This checklist is part of No Kid Hungry’s Summer EBT School Outreach Toolkit, providing customizable materials state agency’s can send to schools to help school stakeholders understand Summer EBT, provide support in communicating Summer EBT to families, and equip them with the answers to questions families might have.
This image shows the checklist state agencies can provide to schools to prepare them for communication with families.
Download Customizable Materials
To access the customizable Summer EBT materials, please click on the link below. You will be asked to submit you email address. A member of our team will verify and send you the Summer EBT outreach materials.
