By Guy Page
Eligible school-aged children will receive a $120 Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (SEBT) card to help them during the summer vacation months, complementing existing school summer meals programs, the Scott administration announced today.
Vermont is among the first states to launch the new permanent SEBT program, which is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture.
This new benefit provides $120 per child, which families can use to purchase groceries. Some Vermont families will automatically qualify based on existing benefits, which will start being distributed on July 15. Other families who do not automatically qualify may still be eligible and will be able to apply in August. The Department for Children and Families (DCF) and the Agency of Education (AOE) will be providing additional details on eligibility, application details and payment distribution timelines directly to schools and families in the coming weeks.
“Good nutrition is an essential element of learning,” said Interim Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders. “This program complements the existing summer meals programs, providing another option for children who rely on school meals to access consistent nutrition over the summer months. I am glad that this program will provide extra support for families over the summer, which we know is a critical time for student learning retention and growth.”
The summer EBT card can be used at grocery stores, farmers markets and online where EBT is accepted. At present, EBT cards dispensing SNAP benefits limit what can and can’t be purchased. They can be used for any food for the household, such as:
- Fruits and vegetables;
- Meat, poultry, and fish;
- Dairy products;
- Breads and cereals;
- Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and
- Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat.
Households cannot use SNAP benefits to buy:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
- Vitamins, medicines, and supplements. If an item has a Supplement Facts label, it is considered a supplement and is not eligible for SNAP purchase.
- Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store).
- Foods that are hot at the point of sale
- Any nonfood items such as pet foods, cleaning supplies, paper products, and other household supplies, and hygiene items or cosmetics.
This is a permanent plan. DCF tells the families, “Please keep the EBT cards as they will be used each summer for children who are eligible.
“Ensuring that children have access to nutritious food year-round is fundamental to their well-being.” said Secretary of Agency of Human Services Jenney Samuelson. “The launch of Vermont’s Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program demonstrates the agency’s commitment to supporting families and helping children thrive, especially during the summer months when children do not have access to school-provided meals. This is a vital step in addressing food insecurity.”
Kids automatically get benefits if they’re between 6 – 16 years old and get Medicaid with a qualifying family income, 3SquaresVT, or Reach Up; or they’re younger than six or older than 16 years old, but attend a public school or an independent school that participates in the National School Lunch Program and live in a home that gets Medicaid with a qualifying family income, 3SquaresVT, or Reach Up.
Families that qualify based on their income but aren’t automatically enrolled can apply online in August.
For additional information, including specific eligibility criteria, visit summerebt.vermont.gov. Application details will be available in August.