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By Aliss Higham
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Certain families with school-age children across three states will be receiving extra food benefits in July.
Why It Matters
The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program—also known as Summer EBT or SUN Bucks—provides $120 per eligible school-aged child to help low- and no-income families across the U.S. buy groceries during the summer months when school meals aren't available.
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In 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which pays for the program, estimated it would assist some 21 million children nationwide, distributing about $2.5 billion in benefits across 35 states, five U.S. territories, and four tribal nations. Most recipients are those who already receive regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits—monthly food benefits that are sent to some 40 million people across the U.S. and its overseas territories.
What To Know
This year, 37 states, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories are participating in the Summer EBT program.
Depending on the state, benefits will be issued in one of the following ways:
- Loaded onto an existing SNAP EBT card
- Added to a previous Summer EBT card
- Mailed on a new Summer EBT card
Many states have already distributed benefits, sending out payments in June.
The following states are expected to be sending out payments in July, according to fintech EBT benefits app Propel:
- Massachusetts
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
The following states will not be providing Summer EBT payments this season:
- Alaska
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Mississippi
- Oklahoma (with the exception of tribal nations)
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Wyoming
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Who Qualifies for Summer EBT?
Children are eligible for Summer EBT if they participate in certain assistance programs or receive free or reduced-price school meals. Eligible groups include:
- Children in households enrolled in SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, or Medicaid (in participating states).
- Students attending schools that participate in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program and who meet income guidelines
Most eligible families will get the extra benefits automatically. Those who don't but think they qualify can apply through their state's Summer EBT website.
Summer EBT funds expire 122 days after being issued, so families should use them as soon as possible.
What Can I Buy With Summer EBT?
The extra benefits can be used like regular SNAP benefits. You can buy fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, meat, poultry, prepared snack foods, non-alcoholic beverages, as well as seeds and plants if you like to grow your own food at home.
SNAP benefits cannot be used for certain items, like alcohol, hot prepared meals, vitamins and food supplements, tobacco, cleaning products and other household items.
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