Stimulus payments are a direct way in which local and federal governments can provide direct financial support to citizens in times of economic hardship. With the summer vacation season officially upon us, a period which is usually underscored by quality time with loved ones, this time can be incredibly stressful for those who are struggling financially and may have significant concerns regarding how they are going to feed their families without the school lunch system which occurs during the academic school year.
How SNAP supports millions of families nationwide
The Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formally referred to as food stamps, is a cornerstone nutrition program which supports over 40 million individuals by providing payments to support food expenses. SNAP has long been hailed as a significant intervention system in preventing childhood poverty and keeping families out of destitution.
While SNAP is a federally funded program, each states distributes and manages their relevant recipients and payment dates. To qualify to receive SNAP benefits, you generally have to receive an income below a specific threshold in relation to the poverty line in proportion to the number of dependents in your household. If you currently receive SNAP benefits, you qualify to receive additional benefits this summer in order to offset the costs associated with the increased number of family members to feed over the vacation period.
Qualify to receive $120 ‘Sun Bucks’ payment
This summer, the federal government has announced that they will be distributing $120 payments per qualifying child as part of the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program ‘Sun Bucks’ program to help provide additional income support for groceries. The payment will be provided for each qualifying child who is between the ages of six to eighteen years old.
According to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, your child qualifies to receive the $120 payment if they meet the following critiera:
- Your child or dependent 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 or dependent attends a school that offers the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program and meets income requirements.
If your child or dependent is not already enrolled in any of these programs, you can still qualify to receive the additional benefits provided that you meet specific income requirements.
The additional benefits can be used to pay for the following food expenses:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products
- Breads and cereals
- Snack foods and non-alcoholic drinks
The Sun Bucks cannot be used to pay for the following items:
- Hot foods
- Pet foods
- Cleaning or household supplies
- Personal hygiene items
- medicine
When to expect your payment to be made
If you are already enrolled in SNAP, these additional benefits will be automatically paid onto your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. If you are not already enrolled but automatically qualify, you will be sent an EBT card to use in order to use the benefits at participating food stores. Payment dates will vary across states, with some already rolling out the additional benefits from May.
Recently, the new Big, Beautiful Bill was passed by the federal government which is expected to bring a host of changes to SNAP. These include significant funding cuts which will require states to fill the deficit. Further, the new bill also limits who can qualify to receive the benefits going forward. The only groups who remain eligible for SNAP are U.S. citizens, certain U.S. lawful permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and Compact of Free Association citizens from the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau.
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.
