Applications are now open for the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SEBT) program, also known as SUN Bucks, in Indiana. The program provides one-time payments of $120 to families with school-aged children to be used on groceries over the summer. Eligible children include those whose households participate in SNAP, TANF, or income-based Medicaid, or who are identified as wards of the state, homeless, or migrant, or who attend schools that offer the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and meet the requirements for free or reduced-price school meals. The money will be sent to eligible families on an EBT card that can only be used at authorized retailers to purchase healthy foods. Applications can be found at indianasunbucks.com and must be filled out by May 1st to receive benefits in 2024.
A growing number of states have implemented free lunches for all students in recent years. However, during the summer, when school is out, the resources for free meals come to a halt. Some states have not been able to implement federal summer food programs, leaving millions of youths without reliable access to balanced meals. The USDA reported that 44.2 million households in the US had difficulty affording food in 2022, leading to 13 million children living with food insecurity. While some states provide free lunches during the academic year, there are no parallel programs for the summer months. The federal government is launching more programs this year, including the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer, which will give eligible families a $40 monthly voucher per child for food. However, 15 states, mostly Republican-led, have opted out of this benefit. Advocacy groups have created resources to help families know how and when to apply for assistance programs. It can be challenging to get families to complete applications for summer programs when they receive free lunches throughout the school year with no application process. Some states emphasize that they are already enrolled in separate programs and believe it is enough. The hope is that the experience of states providing free meals during the summer will inspire other states to address youth hunger and implement similar programs in the future. [d4a28fd8]
In 2021, President Joe Biden enacted the largest-ever permanent increase to federal food benefits, giving the average Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients an extra $36 per person each month. However, Republicans are now seeking to change the law to prevent a future Democratic president from making a similar move. House Agriculture Committee chair Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) wants to make it so SNAP's monthly benefits can only be adjusted for inflation, without regard to dietary guidance or patterns of food consumption. Democrats have strongly opposed Thompson's proposal. More than 21 million households receive SNAP benefits, distributed on debit cards to only use for food purchases at grocery stores. The Biden increase resulted from an update to the 'Thrifty Food Plan,' the government's mathematical model of a healthy diet for a low-income family. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reported that the 2021 change has lifted 2.4 million Americans above the government's income-based poverty threshold. Thompson said his proposal would reduce SNAP spending by about $30 billion out of more than $1 trillion over 10 years. [6ab0e82a]
The article also highlights the extra summer payment of SNAP benefits, which is additional money provided in July and August to help low-income individuals and families maintain adequate nutrition. The increase in benefits is aimed at mitigating the impact of inflation and rising food prices. The SNAP program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is a vital source of support for millions of Americans. The extra benefits promote food security in vulnerable communities. The purpose of the extra food stamps is to assist families facing economic hardships and ensure access to healthy and essential food. The benefits are distributed through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which functions like a debit card. The summer EBT program provides an additional $40 per qualifying child each month from July to August. Eligibility requirements include being a recipient of free school lunches, having a household income below 185% of the federal poverty threshold, and being enrolled in certain programs. Various states and tribal nations plan to implement the summer SNAP benefits program in 2024. [0a10c9ac]