Eligible Ohio families will receive 120-dollars this summer to buy groceries for their kids through a new summer E-B-T/SUN Bucks program.
Kids whose caregivers can’t afford to buy enough food during the summer are at higher risk for food insecurity and learning loss, says Brigette Hires with the Ohio Department of Education.
Hires says children are automatically eligible to receive the one-time 120-dollar benefit in the coming months if their families are on SNAP, Medicaid, or the Ohio Works First program, and are certified by their school to receive free or reduced price meals.
“All of those children, if they’re between the ages of six and 18 will automatically get this benefit again, with no further action needed on the part of that household. We’re estimating right now about 837,000 children will benefit from this program.”
The funds will be credited to families’ existing Ohio Direction Card or a new card will be issued in the mail. The card can be used to buy fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains, and dairy at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other retailers accepting SNAP-EBT benefits. Hires says parents who are not enrolled but believe their child may be eligible can fill out an application by visiting ‘ohiosummerebt.org.’
Hires adds parents and households can also look for a local Summer Food Service Program site, where regular summer meals are offered through schools and community agencies. A map of sites is online.
“If a person goes to education.ohio.gov, and they search “SFSP” summer food source program, then they’ll see the option for the Summer Food Service Program or SUN meals, and that will take them to the map.”
According to the Children’s Hunger Alliance, only one in ten children who receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year have access to summer meals.
ONC Reporting