As schools begin to close for the summer recess, some families can expect to receive a new cash payment for their children. With the summer holidays beginning, many families may be looking forward to the next few months of spending extensive quality time together as a family. However, for some, the long summer break brings with it increased financial strain and stress as some worry how they are going to ensure that their children remain fed. Many children, especially from low-income households, rely on the school lunch system during the school term. As a response to this, the federal government is sending out new payments for qualifying families.
SNAP benefits support millions of families
Food insecurity is a major public concern and is a direct contributor to destitution and childhood poverty. To combat this, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was established by the federal government to help ensure that low-income individuals have access to food and have support to feed their families. States each manage and distribute SNAP benefits to their citizens according to their own policies and also supplement the funding received from the federal government.
Over 40 million individuals rely on SNAP benefits to put food on the table. The amount of SNAP benefits you receive is dependent on both your household size proportional to your household income, as well as other rules which may differ between states, but as a general requirement, to be eligible for SNAP, you must earn an income which sits below 200% of the poverty line.
$120 ‘Sun Bucks’ cash program for these individuals
As a response to the growing concerns of low-income individuals of how they are going to feed their children during the summer break, even if parents are already on benefits programs like SNAP, the federal government has begun their Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program ‘Sun Bucks’ program to help provide additional income support for food.
According to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, each household will receive $120 per qualifying child between the ages of six to 18 years old years old to help pay for food assistance. Your child qualifies for the program if they are part of the following:
- The child is part of a household that receives support from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, or Medicaid (in participating states).
- Your child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program and meets income requirements.
When to expect your summer benefits to start
If your child meets either or both of these eligibility criteria, they will be automatically enrolled into the program, and no action is required from you as a parent. The additional cash will be loaded onto your EBT card, or one will be sent to you if you do not already have one. If your child is not part of these programs, you can still apply through their state’s Summer EBT online portal. Payment dates will roll out depending on which state you live in, with some already receiving the additional benefits in May, while others will only begin this month.
While the additional payments are set to be a relief for many families, the future of SNAP remains a significant concern. Due to recent recommendations by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), SNAP is set to receive significant slashes in federal funding, which will leave it up to individual states to find ways to cover the deficit. The federal budget slashes may also make it more difficult for families to qualify to receive the benefits, with states now needing to work with tighter budgets.
Disclaimer: Our coverage of stimulus checks, tax reliefs, tax rebates, tax credits, and other payments is based on the official sources listed in the article. All payment amounts and dates, as well as eligibility requirements, are subject to change by the governing institutions. Always consult the official source we provide to stay up to date and obtain information for your decision-making.
