As school districts across Kansas, including USD 253 Emporia, begin summer meal programs, the Kansas Department for Children and Families has launched a separate program helping eligible families offset some food costs for their school-aged children.
Summer EBT is a partnership between DCF and the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, offering $120 for each eligible child to buy groceries like fruits, vegetables, meats, whole grains and dairy. DCF Secretary Laura Howard sas the benefits, available by late July, will be accepted at traditional grocery stores, farmers markets and other locations accepting SNAP EBT benefits.
Children are eligible if they are school-aged, between ages 7-17, and have received food assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits and/or foster care benefits at any time during the school year. They also qualify if they attend a Kansas school offering the national school lunch or breakfast programs and household income levels meet free or reduced-price school meal requirements at any time in the school year.
For parents who already have EBT benefits, the new funding will either be automatically loaded to their accounts or they will come on a mailed card.
