LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — Applications are now available for a new state program that will provide families $120 for each eligible school-aged child for groceries when school is out.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders announced the state’s involvement in the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT program in January.
Many eligible families will receive the benefits automatically, though some parents will need to apply. Children are automatically eligible and don’t need to apply if their household participates in SNAP or TEA, or if they individually applied for and were approved for free meals through the National School Lunch Program.
The new program is in addition to free meals kids of all ages can get through their local summer meal sites. The $120 benefit will be provided on pre-loaded EBT cards similar to those used for SNAP.
The cards will be sent separately to each eligible child in a family, and are expected to be mailed out by the beginning of July.
For more information, visit ar.gov/summerebt.
