Sherri A. Young, D.O., MBA, FAAFP Cabinet Secretary at West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources | Official website
Sherri A. Young, D.O., MBA, FAAFP Cabinet Secretary at West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources | Official website
The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) and the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) have announced a new federal public benefit program aimed at supporting school-age children from low-income households. The initiative, known as the West Virginia Summer EBT (WV-SEBT) program, will offer short-term grocery assistance during the summer months to eligible families.
Applications for the WV-SEBT program will open on April 22, 2024. Families can apply online at schoolcafe.com or submit a paper application at local DoHS county offices. Janie Cole, Commissioner of the DoHS Bureau for Family Assistance, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Ensuring every child has access to nutritious meals is a cornerstone of building strong, healthy communities.” She further stated that this program represents "a crucial step forward in supporting our state’s residents by providing essential grocery assistance during the summer months."
Unlike its predecessor, Pandemic EBT (PEBT), which ended with federal emergency orders, WV-SEBT eligibility is not automatic for all students attending schools where meals are free. Eligibility depends on household income status and participation in programs like the National School Lunch Program.
State Superintendent Michele L. Blatt highlighted the challenges faced by children during summer breaks: "Summer poses a significant challenge to children who are away from school and facing food insecurity." She noted that while students are out of school, hunger remains an issue and stressed that "this program is essential to meeting the nutritional needs of our school children."
Families already receiving benefits such as SNAP or WV WORKS with children aged six to 17 will automatically be enrolled in Summer EBT. However, those attending Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools must complete an online application based on income criteria.
Eligible participants will receive a one-time benefit of $120 on a new Summer EBT card mailed to their registered address. Benefits are expected to be distributed by June 2024.
The USDA has authorized and approved this program, estimating that around 202,000 children in West Virginia could benefit from it in 2024.
For further details, individuals can visit wvsebt.org or call 1-866-545-6502.
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