The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) has announced that it has begun rolling out benefits through the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program, which provides a one-time payment of $120 to eligible students to help pay for nutritious meals during the summer months when schools are not in session.
Summer EBT is a new, permanent program based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer EBT for Children demonstration projects and Pandemic EBT (P-EBT), which have been proven to reduce child hunger and improve diet quality. Benefits will come in the form of pre-loaded cards that families can use to purchase groceries.
Over the next several weeks, Colorado will be processing and issuing these benefits to eligible students. Families of eligible students will first receive a notice of their student’s eligibility for the program through the mail. Families can then expect to receive their student’s benefit card 30-45 days after receiving the initial notice of eligibility, although some families may see their cards sooner. A separate benefit card will be issued for each eligible student. Students from the same school or even within the same household may receive their notices or cards at different times.
CDHS estimates that more than 550,000 eligible students in Colorado will receive the benefit through the Summer EBT program.
“We are thrilled so many Colorado kids will receive increased access to food during the summer through this program,” said Laura Kriebel, Food and Energy Assistance Division operations manager. “The strong partnership and commitment to helping Colorado’s children from everyone involved is what made the monumental lift of launching a new program this summer possible.”
Who is eligible for Summer EBT?
Students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals while attending a school participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program.
Students who are receiving other assistance benefits, including SNAP and Colorado Works (TANF), or meet National School Lunch Program income guidelines and are receiving Medicaid.
What do people need to do to get Summer EBT?
Many families will automatically receive Summer EBT through enrollment in a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program and their prior eligibility for Colorado Works, SNAP and income-eligible Medicaid services. Families with eligible students will be mailed a notice of eligibility for each individual student in the coming weeks. If you do not receive this notice and believe your students are eligible for 2024 S-EBT benefits, you can contact the support center at 800.536.5298 for more information.
More information about the program can be found on the Summer EBT page of the CDHS website.