SALEM – As summer winds down, families have a limited window to secure essential food assistance through the Summer EBT program, according to the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS).
With its Sept. 2 application deadline approaching, the program offers $120 per child to help cover grocery costs when school food programs are not as easy to access.
Thousands of families may be unaware that they qualify for this essential benefit. DHS and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) are urging families to check their eligibility and apply before the deadline. Remember, once benefits are received, you have 122 days to use them.
Most eligible children received their benefits automatically on June 28, if their households:
- Participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),
- Participate in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and
- Are Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) members in households with incomes under 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Children in foster care also automatically received Summer EBT.
However, families that did not receive benefits automatically, particularly those with children in Head Start programs that participate in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs, should still apply to determine their eligibility.
Families are encouraged to visit sebt.oregon.gov or contact the Summer EBT Call Center at 1-833-673-7328 to verify eligibility and apply.
“Making sure children have access to nutritious food throughout the summer is critical. This small action could provide significant support to families in Oregon,” DHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht said.
Since June 28, more than 329,000 eligible school-aged children have been issued $39.5 million in Summer EBT food benefits. More than 60% of families receiving benefits in the initial issuance were able to immediately use benefits on existing Oregon EBT cards. The rest received new cards in July.
“The results of the Summer EBT launch so far have far exceeded our expectations, but we know that there are many more families out there who have children who may be eligible for the $120 Summer EBT benefit,” ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams said. “We encourage our schools and Summer Meals providers to have flyers on site to raise awareness and get our families the benefits they qualify for.”
