In the United States, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a scheme to send extra food aid for minors during the summer. This is the Summer EBT, to which the majority of the North American states would be added.
In this sense, more than 30 million children throughout the country could benefit from the program. Its goal is to provide grocery shopping to low-income families with school-aged children. All this during the period when schools are closed, that is, in the summer.
However, there were 15 states in the country that decided not to join this program. One of them was Alabama, where the federal government has cut funding to administer the program by 50%.
In Alaska, it was proposed that the cost and administrative requirement to create a new EBT issuance program would exceed the benefit to be granted.
For its part, Florida stated that its approach to serving children does not require any additional federal programs. Meanwhile, in Georgia it is argued that this program lacks basic nutritional requirements and sustainability.
Likewise, Idaho would not join the program until 2025. However, there is still no clear decision on the matter.
Likewise, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds expressed that the best idea is to invest in existing programs and infrastructure at the state level.
Meanwhile, Louisiana missed the January 1 deadline to join Summer EBT 2024. Additionally, Mississippi refused to participate under Governor Reeves’ direction.
Finally, completing the list of states that will not join the program is Nebraska; Oklahoma; South Carolina; South Dakota; Texas; Vermont and Wyoming.
Those who accept How will they receive the benefits?
This will be possible through preloaded cards, which can be used by families to purchase food at the various participating stores.
So qualified American families will receive $40.00 USD for each eligible child in the summer months of 2024.
It should be clarified that these benefits work in conjunction with other nutritional assistance programs available. We’re talking about summer meal sites, like SNAP and WIC, that help kids with critical nutrition when school is out.
