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Virginia Launches New Program to Improve Food
Access for Kids During Summer Break
In summer 2024, Virginia will launch Summer EBT, a new grocery benefits program that will provide families $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is not in session. Summer is a time when many children lose access to the free and reduced-price meals they get at school, and when households might need a little extra help putting meals on the table. Most families will get these benefits automatically, but some parents will need to apply.
Benefits of Summer EBT:
- Help parents and caregivers buy healthy foods for their children.
- Give families the flexibility to select foods that fit their culture and lifestyle.
- Improve food security and diet quality for participating children.
Eligibility and Enrollment:
Summer EBT eligibility for students attending non-CEP schools:
- Students directly certified for free or reduced-price meals through matching to the SNAP, TANF, Medicaid income-eligible, or foster care data in the DC file are eligible.
- Students extended DC eligibility from another student in the household are eligible.
- Students determined free eligible through categorical eligibility without application because of their status as homeless, migrant, runaway, foster care placement, are eligible.
- Students determined free or reduced-price eligible by a meal application are eligible.
Summer EBT eligibility for students attending Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools:
- Students directly certified for free or reduced-price meals through matching to the SNAP, TANF, Medicaid income-eligible, or foster care data in the DC file are eligible for Summer EBT.
- Students extended free or reduced-price DC eligibility from another student in the household are eligible.
- Students determined free eligible through categorical eligibility without application because of their status as homeless, migrant, runaway, foster care placement, are eligible.
Students without previously established NSLP eligibility by one of these methods, and whose family size and income meets the USDA NSLP income eligibility guidelines, will have the opportunity to apply for Summer EBT directly through the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) later this summer. This includes students attending a CEP school who have not been determined eligible by DC or categorical eligibility. All students in a CEP school are NOT automatically eligible for Summer EBT. VDSS will accept applications by phone or on a paper form that will be available for download from their website and submitted by mail. Virginia Beach City Public Schools will not be responsible for accepting or approving SEBT only applications. Households can apply for benefits in July 2024 by visiting www.virginiasunbucks.com
2023/2024 VBCPS Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Schools
- Elementary
- Middle
- High
Elementary
- Alanton
- An Achievable Dream Academy
- Arrowhead
- Bayside
- Birdneck
- Brookwood
- College Park
- Corporate Landing
- Diamond Springs
- Green Run
- Holland
- King's Grant
- Linkhorn Park
- Luxford
- Lynnhaven
- Malibu
- Newtown
- Parkway
- Pembroke
- Pembroke Meadows
- Point O'View
- Rosemont
- Seatack
- Thalia
- W.T. Cooke
- Williams
- Windsor Oaks
- Woodstock
Middle
- An Achievable Dream Academy
- Bayside
- Bayside Sixth
- Brandon
- Larkspur
- Lynnhaven
- Renaissance Academy
- Virginia Beach
High
- An Achievable Dream Academy
- Bayside
- Green Run
- Green Run Collegiate
- Renaissance Academy
Help Families in Your Community:
- Please spread the word to families in your community! Let households know about the new Summer EBT program.
- Please encourage families who are eligible to apply and ensure their mailing address is up to date.
- Please inform households that immigrant and non-U.S. citizens are also eligible for Summer EBT. Participation does not impact immigration status.
- Please visit vbschools.com for more information.
- Finally, please encourage families who may have eligible children to apply online at www.schoolcafe.com or pick up the paper application from their children’s schools.
Thank you for helping us fight against child hunger and support healthier diets!
