Gov. Pritzker and USDA Announce New Summer EBT Program in Illinois
As school year winds down, summer food programs ramp up
May 16, 2024
SPRINGFIELD- Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced that Illinois’ Summer EBT plan has been approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – meaning Illinois will be one of the first states to provide additional food assistance to over 1 million children this summer.
The Summer EBT program aims to provide essential support to economically disadvantaged children during the summer months, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals. Eligible children will receive a one-time $120 issuance, supporting families in helping children meet their nutritional needs throughout the summer. The Summer EBT supplemental food-assistance program is the first of its kind to launch in Illinois in over 50 years.
“My goal from the beginning has been to make Illinois the best state in the nation to raise a family – and that begins with our children having everything they need to learn and grow,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m proud to celebrate another major step forward in that pursuit, as we become one of the first states in the nation to launch the new federal Summer EBT program. To the USDA and all our partners here today – from the federal government to our essential local food banks – thank you for joining us to celebrate this historic moment and your tireless dedication in the fight to end hunger.”
"The Summer EBT program is a transformative initiative that takes the challenges of child hunger and economic barriers to quality nutrition head-on," said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. "By ensuring our children have access to a balanced, healthy diet, we are setting them up for success in school, in their personal lives, and beyond."
For children who rely on school for regular meals, summer can be a time of food insecurity, causing increased hunger and anxiety. Summer meal programs are a lifeline for families in need.
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and the Greater Chicago Food Depository are working together on innovative ways to launch the initiative to combat child hunger in Illinois. Summer EBT builds on supports currently offered by IDHS for individuals and families facing food insecurity.
“Each day, IDHS caseworkers strive to ensure those in need of healthy food are provided access to it. I’m proud to partner with Governor Pritzker, the USDA, ISBE, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, and other stakeholders on strategic plans to stamp out the root causes of hunger,” said Dulce M. Quintero, IDHS Secretary Designate.
“USDA’s SUN Bucks program, also known as the Summer EBT program, is an unprecedented opportunity to dramatically reduce child hunger. USDA is thrilled to offer this new federal program to support students in the summer months. Providing families with this extra support in purchasing nutritious foods helps to advance our goals of improving child health and well-being,” said Stacy Dean, USDA Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Deputy Under Secretary.
ISBE is currently communicating with schools to ensure families’ low-income indicators are up to date and to share information about Summer EBT applications. By July, the public will be able to use the ABE website to see whether IDHS has all the information needed to process a child’s Summer EBT benefit. The vast majority of eligible families will not need to apply. The issuances and notices will be sent to eligible households at the end of August.
“For many students, the meals they receive at school might be their most substantial and reliable source of nutrition. That means that when the final school bell rings and summer begins, we know there is a heightened risk of childhood hunger,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. “The new Summer EBT or SUN Bucks program, in combination with the millions of meals served at Summer Food Service Programs sites statewide, will empower families to access nutritious food throughout summer. No child should ever face hunger, and Illinois state agencies are ensuring that families get every dollar possible to feed their children, so they can show up this fall ready to learn.”
Families whose children attend schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and who did not qualify for Direct Certification for Free/Reduced Price meals may need to complete a Summer EBT application. This applies to children who did not receive SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid during the school year and do not have an approved application on file with their NSLP school.
While the Summer EBT program is a vital component of the State’s efforts to combat child hunger, IDHS acknowledges that eligibility verification will not be available until late June. IDHS encourages families to explore alternative options available to them before the official launch of the Summer EBT program.
Illinois has summer food programs throughout the state. School districts, community organizations, churches, camps, park districts, and others helped serve more than 3.3 million meals last summer through the Summer Food Service Program. The State is utilizing and will continue to utilize its various partners across agencies and outside entities, such as food banks, to connect eligible families with benefits.
“No child should worry about where their next meal is coming from, which is why the Illinois Commission to End Hunger is launching a new campaign to reduce childhood hunger in Illinois,” said Kate Maehr, CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository and co-chair of the Illinois Commission to End Hunger. “Our first step is a statewide awareness campaign on Summer EBT to make sure children have the nutrition they need to thrive while school is out.”
“As we approach the summer break, it is vital that we recognize the critical role that nutritious meals play in the lives of our children,” said State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris). “For many families, the end of the school year can bring added financial strain, making it difficult to provide consistent, healthy meals. However, the Summer EBT Program will help ensure that our state’s children have access to the nutrition they need to thrive, regardless of their family’s economic situation.”
During the summer months, families in need of meals should contact their school if they have questions about available meal services. Families also can call 800-359-2163, text “FOOD" (or “COMIDA") to 304-304, or view the USDA online map to find nearby meal sites not located at their school that are open to all children and youth age 18 and younger. ISBE partners with the Illinois Hunger Coalition and No Kid Hungry to operate the hotline and text service.
Additional steps families can take include:
- Connect with Schools: Families should reach out to their child’s school to ensure that all necessary paperwork, such as school meals or alternative income applications, are on file and up to date. This step is especially crucial for families whose children attend schools that provide all meals free of charge, such as Chicago Public Schools (CPS), as individual meal applications may not be collected.
- Explore Federal Assistance: Families who are not already enrolled are encouraged to apply for federal assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Eligibility for these programs not only provides immediate support, but also qualifies families for automatic enrollment in the Summer EBT program once it launches.
- Visit wegotyouillinois.org: Families can visit this website to access comprehensive information about the Summer EBT program and other available resources. The website provides details on how to get connected to the Summer EBT program and access summer meal programs in local communities. Importantly, families do not have to choose between participating in summer meal programs and receiving Summer EBT benefits – they can use both.
The Illinois Commission to End Hunger, a public-private partnership composed of stakeholders from across the state, has also announced that the Commission’s next report will focus specifically on addressing child hunger.
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