December 8, 2023

The permanent, nationwide Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program is set to begin in summer 2024. Approximately 30.9 million children from households with low incomes will be eligible to receive a grocery benefit of $120.

Summer EBT reduces childhood hunger and helps ensure that children start the new school year well-nourished and ready to learn.  Eligible children can only participate if their state, territory, or Indian Tribal Organization (ITO) opts into Summer EBT.

State Impact

The Food Research & Action Center’s new state fact sheets detail the positive impact that Summer EBT will have on each state and territory, and the District of Columbia. The state fact sheets include:

  • the number of eligible children;
  • the amount of federal funding Summer EBT will provide; and
  • the economic impact of those dollars.

Key Dates to Operate Summer EBT

  • January 1, 2024: States, territories, and ITOs must submit a Notice of Intent by January 1 to operate the program in summer 2024. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS) notice of intent template makes it easy for states to commit on or before January 1. Submitting a notice of intent is not binding, and there is no penalty for a state that submits but is unable to execute the program.
  • February 15, 2024: States, territories, and ITOs must submit a final Plan for Operation and Management (POM). After submission of the POM, states can begin drawing down benefit funds.

Administrative Funding

States must cover 50 percent of the administrative costs of operating Summer EBT. To begin receiving the federal funds that will cover 50 percent of the administrative costs, a state must have submitted a POM.

This year, USDA is asking states to submit an Interim POM (iPOM) by December 15, or as soon as possible, to receive federal administrative funding before the final POM is submitted. In subsequent years, the iPOM will be due on August 15.

Additional details on state requirements for administrative funding and other pieces of implementation can be found in USDA’s Summer EBT Implementation Toolkit.

Guidance to Support Implementation

Summer EBT regulations will be issued before the end of 2023. In the meantime, USDA has issued guidance on:

Most recently, USDA issued a comprehensive Summer EBT Question and Answer, which provides more clarity as to what states can expect in the final rule. It also addresses many questions that stakeholders have had about the program, such as how families can establish eligibility and if families are able to appeal.

Questions about Summer EBT or want to connect on state advocacy opportunities? Contact Kelsey Boone at KBoone@frac.org.