The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L 117-328) authorized a permanent and nationwide Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program beginning in 2024. On July 31, 2023, Food and Nutrition Services released a policy memo which stated the program “is intended to reduce hunger and food insecurity for children who lose access to free and reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program during the summer when school is not in session”.

Kansas will implement Summer EBT beginning in the summer of 2024. The implementation of Summer EBT will change in subsequent years and will require updated information, including a new policy memo. As such, this document is intended only to describe the implementation and issuance of Summer EBT benefits for summer 2024 following the 2023-2024 school year. USDA refers to this program nationally as "SUN Bucks," but in Kansas it will be called "Summer EBT."

Eligibility

Eligibility for Summer EBT benefits will be determined through one of two processes: 1) streamlined certification, or 2) submission of an application.

1. Streamlined Certification
   
   
1. Eligible families will be identified through existing DCF and school data and automatically issued benefits without the need to apply.
   
1. Children identified as participating in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Food Assistance, and Foster Care will be streamline certified to receive Summer EBT benefits.
2. Children identified through secure data sharing with Kansas Department of Education as being enrolled in a Kansas school in the 2023-2024 school year and as having received Free or Reduced Price School Lunch will be streamline certified to receive Summer EBT benefits.

2. Submission of an Application
   
1. Families not identified through streamlined certification may still be eligible to receive Summer EBT benefits.
   
1. Families who do not receive benefits in July 2024 can apply through the DCF Self-Service Portal or by paper application available at their local DCF office. Applications will be available from August 12, 2024 through August 31, 2024.

Issuance

Families identified through streamlined certification will receive Summer EBT benefits in late July 2024 on a staggered schedule by last name. Families who are not identified through streamlined certification and who do not receive benefits by August 12, 2024, can submit a Summer EBT application. DCF will make an eligibility determination and, if found eligible, issue benefits within 15 business days of receiving a complete application. Once issued, Summer EBT benefits will expunge after 122 days.

If the family has an active Kansas Benefits card, the Summer EBT benefits will be loaded onto the existing card. If a new card needs to be issued, the standard issuing procedure will be followed, and a new card will be mailed to the family.

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