S-EBT Program is Coming this Summer
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 authorized a permanent, nationwide S-EBT program for eligible families beginning in 2024. The state of Minnesota (MN) has submitted the S-EBT plan to implement this new federal program in summer 2024 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the plan is pending approval. The administration of the S-EBT program will be a joint effort between the MN Department of Education (MDE), the MN Department of Human Services (DHS) and MN Information Technology Services (MNIT). The S-EBT program provides families with school-aged children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals at $40 per month per child ($120 total) during the summer months to purchase healthy foods with funds placed on EBT cards.
S-EBT Eligibility
Students attending a school participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)/ School Breakfast Program (SBP) at the end of the 2023–24 school year can qualify through the following methods:
- Students who are directly certified through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Foster and Medicaid.
- Students who are categorically eligible (homeless, foster, migrant or runaway).
- Students approved for free/reduced-price lunch for the 2023–24 school year.
- Students who are newly eligible for free/reduced-price lunch during the summer until August 23, 2024.
Data Collection Process
MDE will collect data from schools to determine S-EBT eligibility through the S-EBT data portal. DHS will issue S-EBT benefits directly to students. The new S-EBT portal is scheduled to open for data entry in early April. Stay tuned to future bulletins for more information.
How Can Schools Prepare for S-EBT?
Collect all applications as soon as possible. To be eligible for S-EBT benefits, non-directly certified students must have an Application for Educational Benefits or the Alternative Application for Educational Benefits on file prior to data submission in the S-EBT portal late May 2024.
- Communicate with families about S-EBT.
- Encourage households to complete and turn in an Educational Benefit Application or the Alternative Income Application as soon as possible.
- Have current household mailing addresses, guardianship and contact information. This is to ensure S-EBT cards are mailed to the correct address.
- Update the Minnesota Automated Reporting Student System (MARSS) to reflect eligible students.
- Nonpublic schools should work with the local public school to create State Student Identification (ID) numbers.
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Sign up to receive S-EBT (formerly P-EBT) bulletin messages.
Training
Two live webinars will be held—one at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, and one at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 28—on S-EBT overview and data entry procedures. This training is intended for school staff who will be responsible for compiling and submitting data to MDE. The webinars will be recorded for those who are unable to attend. Registration information will be shared in the upcoming bulletins.
Helpful U.S. Department of Agriculture Documents
Connect With US
For assistance with questions regarding the S-EBT program, send an email to sebt.mde@state.mn.us.
Look for more information regarding Summer EBT on the New S-EBT website.
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