Families Should Check Their Status to Avoid Missing Out on Benefits
Arkansas is participating in the Federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Program for the second year in a row. Summer EBT is designed to reach low-income families during the summer when food insecurity tends to soar because students do not have access to daily school meals. Summer EBT is a unique program in that it is designed to complement – not replace – your existing SNAP, WIC, or other food benefits you may be receiving. This is important given that Arkansas has the highest food insecurity rate in the nation at 18.9% and an even higher childhood hunger rate at 25%.
Multiple programs are needed to combat food insecurity because each program is only intended to supplement food purchasing – not fund a family’s full food budget. Feed the Children, a national anti-hunger organization reports that, “Summer food costs can overwhelm a family’s entire budget, leaving nothing for education or enrichment.” What’s more, Summer EBT will be even more necessary in the fight against hunger this year as we face unprecedented grocery inflation. According to the Economic Research Service (ERS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), grocery prices have risen more than 23%. Prices of household staples like bread, milk, and eggs have increased even more at 25%. In other words, families are already struggling to find healthy, culturally relevant meals that are also budget-friendly, right at the time when free school meal programs end.
The positive impact of Summer EBT extends beyond filling bellies during the summer break. If kids lose regular access to quality, nutritional foods during the summer months, it means they will likely experience more summer learning loss. These students are more likely to experience a steep summer slide, making it more difficult for them, as compared to their counterparts who didn’t deal with summer food insecurity, “to pick up where they left off when school starts back in the fall.” Kids who experience food insecurity during any time of the year, are also more likely to face long-term health consequences well into adulthood, including iron deficiency, anemia, asthma, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
Thankfully Summer EBT provides qualifying children with $120.00 each to help their families purchase nutritious foods via an EBT card. The program has been successful so far, with more than 290,000 Arkansas children receiving Summer EBT benefits in 2024. However, there were an estimated 315,000 children eligible last year, so families that didn’t participate last year are encouraged to check the DHS website for eligibility.
Some children are automatically eligible for Summer EBT. Children ages 5-17 who receive SNAP or TEA or were approved to receive free or reduced meals through the USDA National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program, are automatically eligible for Summer EBT and do not need to apply. Children of any age who attend Head Start or Early Head Start are automatically eligible, but they must turn in an application to receive benefits. Children who do not fall into these categories may also qualify depending on household income.
Once again, parents should go to the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) Summer EBT website and complete the online tool to learn if their children qualify automatically or if they need to apply. If parents are told to apply, then they should fill out the application online at Access Arkansas – Learn. These applications are also available in DHS county offices and online, including in Spanish and Marshallese. Once the form is completed, scan and email it to SummerEBT@dhs.arkansas.gov. You can also take it to the local DHS office or mail it to:
Arkansas Department of Human Services Mississippi Scanning Center
P.O. Box 2630
Blytheville, AR 72315.
For children who received Summer EBT last year, the funds will be loaded on the existing debit card. If that card is no longer available, caregivers can request a replacement card by calling 1-800-997-9999.
Applications must be submitted no later than August 25, but apply now to access these vital benefits sooner rather than later and ensure our children do not go hungry this summer.
More information about Summer EBT can also be found here.