Mountain State Times

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Family Assistance (BFA), has gained approval to issue Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) for the 2025 summer period. Eligible children will receive a one-time $120 in grocery benefits, which can be used for items covered by SNAP benefits. All West Virginia EBT retailers will accept the Summer EBT benefits.

"Ensuring every child has access to nutritious meals is a cornerstone of building strong, healthy communities," stated Janie Cole, Commissioner of the DoHS Bureau for Family Assistance. "Implementing West Virginia’s Summer EBT program represents a crucial step forward in supporting residents by providing essential grocery assistance during the summer months, as we maintain our commitment to fostering a brighter future for West Virginia children."

Eligibility for the Summer EBT program can be achieved through two pathways. Pathway #1 applies to children between the ages of 6-17 who receive benefits such as SNAP, WV WORKS, certain types of Medicaid, Foster services, or are homeless, a migrant, or a runaway. They may also be enrolled in WV HeadStart or approved through a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) application. These children do not need to be enrolled in a WV public school, nor is any application for Summer EBT required for this pathway.

Pathway #2 includes children aged 4-21, enrolled in a school participating in the NSLP, and approved through an income application for Summer EBT. In this case, the household must be at or below 185% of the federal poverty limit.

Applications for households under Pathway #2 can be made online at schoolcafe.com or by completing a paper application available at DoHS county offices or downloadable at dhhr.wv.gov/bfa/programs/Pages/Summer-EBT.aspx. Verification of income information may be required.

Local school districts and boards of education will not handle Summer EBT applications, as the DoHS is the responsible organization for determining eligibility. Most children eligible under Pathway #1 will receive Summer EBT benefits by the end of the 2024-2025 school year, and those under Pathway #2 can expect benefits within 30 days of an approved application from June 2025 onwards.