FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2023
DPHHS, OPI to Offer Summer EBT in 2024
HELENA - Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton and Office of Public Instruction (OPI) Superintendent Elsie Arntzen today announced plans to offer the new federal Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program to Montana families beginning in June 2024.
“DPHHS is committed to partnering with OPI to ensure children have access to nutritious meals during the summer months,” Brereton said.
States have until January 1, 2024 to notify U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of their desire to participate, and Montana submitted its notification today, Nov. 9. States then have until Feb. 15 to submit a program management plan.
On December 23, 2022, Congress authorized Summer EBT as a permanent program and FNS is now working with states and local partners on implementation. Benefits paid to families are 100% federal funds.
The program provides grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer.
“The Summer EBT program is another tool that families can use when school doors are closed,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “I look forward to this continued partnership with DPHHS as our agencies have successfully implemented similar programs such as Medicaid Direct Certification.”
Beginning in summer 2024, families will receive $40 per eligible child during the summer months of June, July, and August.
Summer EBT is for students who are eligible to receive free and reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP).
Based on NSLP participation in the 2022-23 school year, it’s estimated that about 170,000 children will be eligible for Summer EBT. Students who are eligible for the program include children who:
- Attend an NSLP/SBP participating school and have been certified as eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.
- Attend an NSLP/SBP participating Community Eligibility Provision school and are directly certified.
- Attend an NSLP/SBP participating school but are not certified either by application or direct certification and are certified by an application.
- Do not attend an NSLP/SBP participating school but are able to be directly certified.
Families with children who attend a NSLP and SBP school who are not currently receiving free or reduced-price meal benefits but want to participate in Summer EBT should contact their school about completing an application.
DPHHS and OPI will share responsibilities for implementing Summer EBT, with DPHHS serving as the lead agency for federal purposes.
OPI will create and manage the application process, validate eligibility, and handle client communications.
DPHHS will issue the EBT cards, manage card usage, investigate client fraud complaints, and oversee budget and program reporting to FNS.
Summer EBT is an evidence-based policy. Research shows that providing families with summer grocery benefits reduces child hunger and supports healthier diets.
USDA tested Summer EBT as a demonstration project in select states for several years. Research demonstrated that the program decreased the number of kids with very low food security by about one-third.
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Questions? Contact:
Brian O'Leary, OPI Communications Director
Jon Ebelt, DPHHS Communications Director
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
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