Arkansas is one of 35 states that agreed to participate in a new federal program this year designed to combat childhood hunger. Summer EBT (electronic benefits transfer) is designed to reach low-income families. Those children who receive SNAP or attend a school that offers USDA National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program and live in a household with an income that meets the requirements for free or reduced-price school meals automatically qualified. 

Summer EBT provides qualifying children from Head Start up through high school with $120 each for nutritious foods via an EBT card. The program has been successful so far with more than 290,000 Arkansas children receiving their Summer EBT benefits. However, there were an estimated 315,000 children eligible total, meaning that potentially more than 25,000 children won’t receive benefits unless their parents act swiftly. 

Families who didn’t receive a letter stating their children automatically qualified and who haven’t received their Summer EBT cards yet need to apply now as time is quickly running out. August 26 is the last day to apply in person or online. To apply, parents should go to the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) Summer EBT website and complete the online questionnaire to make sure their children qualify. Then they should fill out the application online and either email it to SummerEBT@dhs.arkansas.gov or take it to the local DHS office no later than August 26. DHS offices should have paper copies of the applications. These forms are also available in Spanish and Marshallese.