Oregon Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) is a new food benefit program that helps reduce hunger disparities when children are on summer vacation and don’t have easy access to healthy meals at school.
Summer EBT will begin in late June and provide $120 for each eligible child in Cottage Grove and statewide to purchase food.
“For families with school-age children, summer vacation is just a few days away, and during the summer many families must budget for 10 extra meals per child per week,” said Dr. Charlene Williams, Director of the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). “Strained families’ grocery budgets can exacerbate child hunger, and Summer EBT is here to help.”
ODE is partnering with the Oregon Department of Human Resources (ODHS) to offer the new program.
“Summer EBT is an evidence-based program proven to reduce childhood hunger and support healthier eating. We want to raise awareness about this new program and ensure families know what to expect and what to do when they begin the program,” said ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht. “Childhood hunger can have lasting effects on health and academic achievement. Connecting all eligible children to Summer EBT will help Oregon children thrive throughout the year and as they grow older.”
Who is eligible for summer EBT food benefits?
School-age children are generally eligible for Summer EBT if:
The household already participates in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or the Oregon Health Plan (OHP, also known as Medicaid), or
Are in foster care, or
Attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program and your household income meets the eligibility requirements for free or reduced-price school meals, or
They attend a school that offers the National School Lunch Programme or the School Breakfast Programme and meet the following criteria:
Participating in immigration programs Experiencing homelessness Participating in food distribution programs on Indian reservations Participating in Head Start
Families receiving summer EBT can continue to participate in other food programs at their schools or in their communities.
Summer EBT benefits are not counted in the public assistance test and are available to children regardless of immigration status.
How will families receive their summer EBT food benefits?
There are two ways families can receive Summer EBT benefits: Approximately 70 percent of eligible children are automatically enrolled in Summer EBT. Families of the remaining 30 percent of eligible children must fill out a short application.
Automatic Enrollment: Families who participate in SNAP, TANF, or OHP are automatically enrolled and do not need to apply. Foster care children are also automatically enrolled. For families who receive SNAP or TANF benefits, the Summer EBT will be added to the household’s Oregon EBT card.
Families receiving OHP will receive a new EBT card in the mail to the address on file. Families will receive a letter by mail or email for each eligible child when benefits are sent. Benefits will be received in one payment.
Apply: Families with children who are not automatically eligible can apply for Summer EBT. To be eligible, your child must be enrolled in a school that provides free or reduced-price meals and live in a household that meets the income requirements for free or reduced-price meals.
At sebt.oregon.gov, families can sign up to receive notifications by text or email when it’s time to complete their application. As part of the application, families must provide their child’s name, school, date of birth, address and household income. Eligible families will receive an Oregon EBT card in the mail. They can receive benefits in a single payment.
Families can use their summer EBT benefits at stores and farmers markets that accept EBT.
Summer EBT Details
The Summer EBT became a new, permanent program for states and certain Indian tribal organizations through the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.
Most states will begin offering Summer EBT starting in June 2024. Oregon’s participation was made possible by a $12 million investment from the Oregon Legislature, which will provide Oregon with $83 million in federal funding, most of which will be in the form of grocery benefits for families to spend in their communities.
Additional resources to meet basic needs
Families can receive more support through other summer meal programs and food resources below.
Learn about government programs and community resources for seniors and people with disabilities.
Contact your local community action agency to find local resources and support: www.caporegon.org/find-services/
