OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved on Monday the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’ plan to run the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT, program.

An estimated 175,000 eligible students or 80,000 households will receive $120 per child for the summer months to ensure they receive the food and services they need when school is not in session.

“These programs are crucial for making sure that kids in our state receive nutritious, consistent meals during the months they’re not in school,” said DHHS CEO Dr. Steve Corsi. “Our children are our future, and we need to make sure they’re taken care of.”

In addition to the cards that will be issued to families, the program will also offer information on the types of nutritious foods parents may purchase with the EBT funds for their children. DHHS will also send text messages and will follow up with families to assess their needs.

In addition to the Summer EBT program, the Summer Food Service Program through the Nebraska Department of Education will provide free meals to children between ages one and 18 at nearly 300 locations across the state. Recipients need not apply or provide paperwork. Most sites will begin providing those meals the first week of June. Families can text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 304304 for information on local sites.

School-aged, income-eligible children may receive Summer EBT benefits via these criteria: participation in the SNAP, Aid to Dependent Children, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations programs; and children on Medicaid with a household income under 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.

School-aged children eligible for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch/Breakfast Programs may also receive benefits if they are involved in head start programs, are homeless, in the foster care system, a migrant, or a runaway.

School-aged children already approved for free or reduced-price meals through filing a school meals application are accepted, as well as those enrolled in a school participating in the NSLP/SBP that are not already eligible but are determined income-eligible through a Summer EBT application. Those will be available come June 1.

If a child meets the first three aforementioned points, they need not complete an application. Their benefits will be issued to a card and mailed to the address on record. Once activated, those EBT cards can be used like any other at approved SNAP retailers to purchase eligible food.

Homeschooled children not receiving public assistance benefits do not qualify for Summer EBT benefits.

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