Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Summer 2024 Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Implementation

Memo Information

Memo Number
COM-24-097
Memo Date
4/23/2024
Memo Type
Informational
Unit
District Operations
Regulatory Authority
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328)
Response Required
NO
Attention
Assistant Superintendent; Child Nutrition Directors/Managers; Communications Manager / Director; Data Stewards (SIS; eSchool; eFinance; TRIAND); Parent Involvement Coordinators/Facilitators; Principals; School Counselors; Superintendents

Primary Contact Information

Secondary Contact/s Information

Memo Text

USDA recently approved Arkansas’ 2024 Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) plan. The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) will manage and provide oversight of the program, which will provide funds for meals to students during the summer when school is not in session.

Students who are already individually approved to receive free or reduced-priced meals or who are eligible for SNAP or TEA benefits will automatically receive $40 a month for three months ($120 total) on an EBT card.

For students who are not already individually approved for free or reduced priced meals or who are not eligible for SNAP or TEA benefits, their parents/guardians must complete an application, and approval will be based on household income. This includes students attending a Provision 2 or Community Eligibility Provision school. The household income guidelines for eligibility are the same as those for free and reduced priced meals.

Application Process:

Parents of students who are not automatically eligible can access the Summer EBT application online or go to a DHS county office to pick up an application. The completed application must be returned to the county DHS office.

Information Sessions:

DESE will host two information sessions for school districts. Both Zoom sessions will be recorded and posted on the DESE website for future viewing.

  • Zoom #1: This session is for districts that do NOT have school(s) participating in Provision 2 or CEP. It will be held at 9:00 on Monday, April 29, 2024 and available HERE.
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  • Zoom #2: This session is for districts with school(s) that participate in Provision 2 or CEP. It will be held at 2:30 on Monday, April 29, 2024 and available HERE.

Additional Information:

Resources for this memo are the following documents:

If parents or guardians have any questions concerning the Summer EBT program, they should contact the Department of Human Services at the designated Summer EBT Email. SummerEBT@dhs.arkansas.gov

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