(WTTW News)

Starting this summer, families in Illinois with school-age children can receive a preloaded card to purchase groceries during summer break as part of a new permanent federal program.

Summer EBT, or the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children, provides families a one-time grocery benefit of $120 for the summer for each eligible child, regardless of one’s citizenship.

Children must be eligible for free or reduced-price school meals, meaning they must have a household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level, to receive benefits.

Benefits will be issued late summer and must be used within 120 days, according to an FAQ website about the program. Grocery benefits can be used at authorized retail stores.

“Many families who rely on free and reduced-price meals during the school year lose that access to this important source of nutrition during the summer when school is out,” Greater Chicago Food Depository spokesperson Man-Yee Lee said. “That really creates a serious hardship for many families who are already struggling to make ends meet.”

The organization has partnered with the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois State Board of Education to help spread awareness of the program.

The easiest way to apply is through the child’s school and asking about the Summer EBT program, Lee said, adding it’s also important to make sure your address on file is up-to-date because preloaded cards will be mailed to families.

Children will be automatically enrolled in Summer EBT if they are enrolled in one of the following programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Income Eligible Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or are in foster care.

Families can also still receive Summer EBT even if a child is getting free meals at school, camp or other places this summer.

About 1.15 million children in Illinois are eligible for the program, Lee said.

For more information about the Summer EBT program and how to apply, visit wegotyouillinois.org/summer-ebt/.

Other Ways to Get Summer Meals

Chicago Public Schools will continue its summer meal programs to ensure students have access to free, nutritious meals during the summer months, according to a CPS spokesperson.

Through CPS’ Summer Meals program, students who participate in summer programs, or those who live in the area served by the program, can receive breakfast and lunch at the program site throughout the summer.

Additionally, children between the ages of 1 and 18 can access meals through CPS’s LunchStop program even if they are not enrolled in CPS or a summer program. LunchStop will be offered at outdoor locations throughout the school district. Children must also be present to receive a meal and will need to consume the meal onsite.

Families can check cps.edu in the coming weeks for more details.

For other summer meal programs, families can visit the Summer Meals Site Finder, which will go live in May, or text “FOOD” (or “COMIDA”) to 304-304.

Contact Eunice Alpasan: @eunicealpasan | 773-509-5362 | [email protected]