2024 California Summer EBT Benefits - California Food Stamps Help (2024)

Great news for households participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). Summer EBT, formerly known as Summer P-EBT benefits is back for 2024!

In December, Congress authorized Summer EBT as a permanent program. UnlikeSummer P-EBT, which was temporary, the Summer EBT Program is a permanent program that will continue each year.

To learn more about the Summer EBT Program for 2024, including how much you can expect in benefits, continue reading below.

Alert: Get the California Food Stamps Increase for Fiscal Year 2024

California Approved for 2024 Summer EBT Benefits

California has been approved by the USDA to begin a Summer EBT program starting in summer 2024.

Eligibility for Summer EBT is linked to students filling out school meal application forms or being automatically identified as eligible through other programs, including CalFresh food assistance, CalWORKs cash assistance, and Medi-Cal health insurance.

What is Summer EBT?

Summer EBT is a program that will begin in summer 2024 by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children (SEBTC) program aims to reduce child hunger and improve the diet quality of children during the summer months when they are not in school.

Summer EBTis based on USDA’sSummer EBT for Children demonstration projectsand Pandemic EBT.

The program will provide families with low-income children more resources to use at food stores during the summer period.

Summer EBT provides food benefits to low-income families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer.

The benefits will come in the form of pre-loaded cards that families can use to purchase groceries.

What is the Reason Behind the Summer EBT Program

The Summer EBT helps low-income families pay for groceries in the summer, which helps reduce childhood food insecurity and increases fruit and vegetable intake.

By doing so, the program also helps cut the amount of sugary beverages children drink, according to federal evaluations of a pilot Summer EBT program in several states.

Who is Eligible for 2024 California Summer EBT Benefits?

There are several ways toqualifyfor 2024 Summer EBT benefits.

The Summer EBT is intended to reduce food insecurity for children who lose access to free and reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) during the summer when school is not in session.

To be eligible for the 2024 Summer EBT benefits, your child must meet one of the following requirements during the current 2023-2024 school year:

1. 1. Approved and participating in the free or reduced-price school meals program at an eligible NSLP/SBP school.
   2. Attend a NSLP/SBP-participating special provision school (CEP or Provision 2 or 3).
   3. Attend a NSLP/SBP-participating school and are certified eligible through a Summer EBT application.
   4. Determined directly eligible (SNAP, TANF or Medicaid benefits), but do not attend a NSLP/SBP school.

Households may establish eligibility for 2024 Summer EBT at any point between the start of the school year through the last day of the 2023-2024 school year summer period.

Children who are certified as eligible for 2024 Summer EBT during the summer will be issued the full summer benefit.

Use the chart below for more details on how you can be eligible for 2024 Summer EBT benefits.

Income Eligibility Alternative

Families would be eligible for Summer EBT in 2024 if they have household incomes at or below 185% of the federal poverty level — $55,500 for a family of four.

Additionally, families must have children attending preschool through 12th grade in a public school that offers the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program.

Do I need to apply for Summer EBT for 2024?

No, eligible households do not need to apply for Summer EBT benefits for 2024.

The benefits will be automatically provided to eligible students based on their enrollment and eligibility status in the school programs.

Are Private School Students Eligible for Summer 2024 EBT?

No. Private School students are not eligible for Summer EBT.

Families would be eligible for Summer EBT in 2024 if they have household incomes at or below 185% of the federal poverty level — $55,500 for a family of four.

Additionally, families must have children attending preschool through 12th grade in a public school that offers the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program.

When will the 2024 California Summer EBT Benefits be Distributed?

The state of California will begin distributing Summer EBT benefits for 2024 between May and September 2024.

We will provide an update on the specific dates when they are announced.

How Much Will My Child Receive in Summer 2024 EBT Benefits?

Families will receive $40 per eligible child each month of summer.

The Summer EBT program works together with other available nutrition assistance programs, such as summer meal sites, SNAP, and WIC, to help ensure kids have consistent access to critical nutrition when school is out.

What Can You Buy with Summer EBT Benefits?

According to the USDA,Summer EBT benefits can be used to purchase:

• fruits and vegetables
• meat, poultry, and fish
• dairy products
• breads and cereals
• other foods (such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages)

However, Summer EBT cannot be used to purchase:

• hot foods
• pet foods
• cleaning or household supplies
• personal hygiene items
• medicine

Summary – 2024 California Summer EBT Benefits

Here’s the bottom line about the summer 2024 EBT benefits:

The CDSS will begin distributing Summer EBT benefits for 2024 between May and September 2024.

Eligible children include those who participated in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) during the 2023–24 school year.

Questions?

We hope this post on 2024 California Summer EBT Benefits was helpful.

If you have further questions about California Summer EBT, SNAP Benefits, or EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.

Also, be sure to check out our other articles about California SNAP and EBT, including:

• • 2024 California Food Stamps Increase
  • $3,000 Child Tax Credit
  • California Inflation Relief Checks – Who is Eligible?
  • California P-EBT Extension
  • How much will I get in CalFresh?
  • CalFresh for SSI/SSP Beneficiaries
  • How long will Extra SNAP for California Last?