AR Dept. of Human Services opens Summer EBT program

The state has received federal approval to provide food benefits for the summer months to eligible children, the Arkansas Department of Human Services and Arkansas Department of Education announced Thursday.

For children to qualify for this temporary nutrition benefit, known as Summer Pandemic EBT, they only need to meet one of two requirements: Receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year or, if under the age of six, they must live in a household receiving SNAP benefits.

If a student is not yet approved, a family member has until July 29 to submit a 2021-22 meal application to their children’s school district. If approved, the benefits will only apply to the Summer P-EBT program.

Families of eligible children typically receive $391 per child for the summer, according to a news release. Benefits are loaded onto a debit-style card that can be used to purchase food.

Everyone who qualifies will a new card issued to the family in the student’s name, DHS said. The cards will be delivered by mail in a plain white envelope to address submitted to ADE’s Division of Elementary and Secondary Education by the local school district; or, to the address DHS has on file if the younger child lives in a household receiving SNAP benefits.