Colorado’s Half a Million Students Set to Receive $120 in Summer Food Benefits – Here’s How It Works!

Families of around 450,000 Colorado students received $120 this month to help with food costs during the summer. This money is part of the Summer EBT program designed for low-income families, funded mostly by the federal government. State officials expect to extend this benefit to an additional 50,000 students as summer progresses.

Last year, many families received their funds late, causing frustration. But this year, most households got their benefits on May 1, indicating better planning from state officials.

The Summer EBT program is just one of several initiatives Colorado is implementing to fight child hunger. In 2022, Colorado voters approved a measure to provide free school meals for all public school students, regardless of family income. This program has been a huge success, but its popularity has made it cost more than anticipated.

To keep the free meal program running amid budget challenges, lawmakers secured funding through December. They also plan to present two measures to voters in November to secure additional funds for continuing the program beyond that.

Students in pre-K through 12th grade can qualify for Summer EBT if their families receive benefits like SNAP or Medicaid or if they are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. Although free meals are now universally provided in schools, families often still need to fill out forms to assess income.

More than 500,000 children in Colorado may benefit from the Summer EBT program this summer. For most, the funds will arrive automatically, but some families—like those new to Colorado or those who have changed schools—might need to submit an application through the Colorado Department of Human Services.

For families with lost benefits cards, support is available by contacting the Summer EBT support center at 800-536-5298. Families with these cards can still access free summer meals at schools and other sites.

This program is vital for reducing food insecurity and ensuring children have nutritious meals during the summer months. As more states look to combat child hunger, Colorado’s proactive measures could serve as a model for other regions.

For more details, visit Chalkbeat and learn about their ongoing efforts to support families in need.

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Colorado Schools,Education,education funding,Finances,Food Insecurity