Program supports more than 600,000 children and their families in the state; Eligible families will start to receive payments next week

WESTBOROUGH - The Healey-Driscoll Administration celebrated the launch of the new Massachusetts Summer Child Nutrition Program today, joining Congressman Jim McGovern, U.S. Department of Agriculture Administrator of Food and Nutrition Services Cindy Long, community partners, local and state officials at Fales Elementary School in Westborough. 

The new federally funded child nutrition program, also known as Summer EBT, will provide low-income families with school-age children financial assistance to buy groceries while schools are closed for the summer. Payments are set to begin next week at $120 for each eligible child. 

“Massachusetts is proud to be launching this game changing child nutrition program. We know that far too many families suffer from food insecurity, especially when kids are home in the summer months,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This program will help relieve those pressures by providing families with financial assistance to buy healthy groceries, supporting their health and wellbeing, as well as our local economy. We’re grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration and Congress for permanently establishing this program.”

“Every state should be taking advantage of this summer child nutrition program. We can’t let any student go hungry in the summer months simply because school is out,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “We hope that eligible families will use this program to ensure that their kids are happy and healthy.”

“Summer EBT is an extraordinary opportunity to close the summer hunger gap. We at USDA are thrilled to be able to offer Massachusetts this new opportunity to support its students in the summer months,” said Cindy Long, Administrator of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

“Contrary to popular belief, hunger is often worst during the summer—when kids aren’t in school and don’t have access to school meals,” said Congressman Jim McGovern.?“I led the fight to pass enhanced summer food benefits so families who qualify could get a little extra help when they need it the most. ?I’m proud our work is paying off and that these enhanced benefits are being put to good use here in Massachusetts. Every single kid in our commonwealth ought to have good, nutritious food year round. This is not a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. Our future depends on the next generation growing up healthy and strong—and I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for working hard to ensure our kids have the food they need to thrive and succeed.”

The Summer Child Nutrition Program is estimated to bring in more than $70 million in federal funds to the state’s economy, supporting over 600,000 children and their families. The program is being administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) in collaboration with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and local school districts. It complements the Summer Eats program, which provides free meals to all kids and teens, ages 18 and under, at locations across Massachusetts during the summer months. 

“At a time when 1 in 3 Massachusetts residents report running out of food or not having enough money to buy food each month, investments like these are more important than ever,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. “Universal free school meals has been a tremendous step in our effort to keep kids fed and food-secure, but that support only lasts through the school year. With the summer child nutrition program, we are helping families access food year-round – making our state stronger and healthier for all.”

“Massachusetts operates a robust Summer Eats program that offers free meals to kids and teens across the state. With this new federal program, we are expanding options for families so they can provide nutritious and culturally appropriate options that meet their children’s needs at camp, home, or at the park,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “Our administration is utilizing all tools available, including through universal school meals, to promote food security, ensuring our students are fed, healthy, and ready to learn, play and grow.” 
 
Families already enrolled in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), TAFDC Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children, or some MassHealth plans are automatically enrolled in Summer EBT and do not need to take any action. Families who are not automatically enrolled can apply online using DTA Connect. Families have until September 7 to apply. 

“Throughout the school year, hundreds of thousands of students rely on meals they receive at school through breakfast and lunch programs. During summer break, many families are left having to figure out how they will feed their children,” said DTA Commissioner Jeff McCue. “Summer EBT will play a vital role in closing that gap, ensuring the Commonwealth’s youngest residents have access to nutritious food year-round.” 

“Summer EBT, in combination with the Summer Eats free summer meals program, is an important way to help students get the nutrition they need when school meals aren’t available,” said DESE Acting Commissioner Russell D. Johnston. “We’re glad to work across agencies to help facilitate Summer EBT and to work with local partners on Summer Eats.” 

Families who currently receive DTA benefits (SNAP and/or TAFDC) will get their Summer EBT payment on their existing EBT card. Families who do not already receive DTA benefits will receive a Summer EBT card in the mail. 

More information on the program and further details on how to apply can be found online at Mass.gov/SummerEBT.