Launches New Program to Improve Food Access Summer EBT Program

In summer 2024, North Dakota will launch Summer EBT, a new grocery benefits program that provides families $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out. Summer is a time when many children lose the free and reduced-price meals they get at school, and when households might need a little extra help putting meals on the table. Most families will get these benefits automatically, but some parents will need to apply. The new program is in addition to free meals that kids of all ages can get at summer meal sites in their communities.

Most parents or guardians of eligible students will receive an email that provides information about the student's eligibility, how to update address information or how to opt out of the program if they choose. We were not able to get email addresses for every eligible student. Parents or guardians may contact our office if they don’t get an email and want to know if they will receive benefits and/or update their address information. We have a special Summer EBT email address: NDSEBT@nd.gov and the webpage is NDSummerEBT.nd.gov

Eligibility:

Children are eligible for the program

· the child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program, and

a. the household receives SNAP, FDPIR, or TANF benefits, or

b. the household income meets the requirements for free or reduced-price school meals.

Many families will get Summer EBT automatically, but some families may need to apply.

· If your children don’t meet the eligibility criteria listed above, but you think your household is eligible for Summer EBT, you can apply for Summer EBT by filling out a simple application. The application will be available online at https://ndsummerebt.nd.gov/ on April 24, 2024.

How Summer EBT Works:

The benefits will be provided on a separate EBT card for each eligible student and can be used to buy groceries. Families will receive $120 per eligible child for the summer. Benefits can be used at authorized retailers, like grocery stores and farmers markets, to purchase healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, meats and other protein sources, whole grains, and dairy.

You can find more information about Summer EBT here https://ndsummerebt.nd.gov/