Kids and families will be fed during the summer months

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service, has approved Wisconsin’s plan for the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program, to help families feed kids over the summer months. Wisconsin is the first in the nation to receive this federal approval.

Created by the U.S. Congress, the program is based on similar efforts used during the coronavirus pandemic, to address food insecurity for kids.

“Making sure our kids have enough to eat, is critical for supporting their success in, and out, of the classroom,” said Gov. Tony Evers. “Unfortunately, when school is out, many families lose access to one of their most reliable sources of healthy meals.

The summer program is an asset in helping ensure families can afford quality, nutritious food to fill these gaps. The EBT program provides grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with children of school age, during the summer months when schools are closed.

Benefits will come in the form of pre-loaded cards that families can utilize to buy groceries. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), and the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), are working together to get these benefits to families across the state.

Most families eligible for these benefits, will receive them automatically, thanks to state agencies collaborating to identify kids who qualify, based on their participation in certain other benefit programs, like FoodShare, or the free or reduced-price meal program at their school. For each eligible child identified, the state will provide a one-time summer benefit of $120.

EBT cards can be used to purchase food at grocery and convenience stores, some farmers markets and anywhere that accepts FoodShare benefits. Families who already have a QUEST card or a P-EBT card from the COVID-19 pandemic, will get the benefits on their existing card.

Families who don’t already have a card, will be sent one in the mail, with their benefits pre-loaded. All families will also get a letter in the mail, informing them about the benefits they received.