Summer is fading, and kids in Oregon are back in class. But there’s still time for families to grab some extra cash for groceries through the Oregon Summer EBT program.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) wants to get more families with school-age children signed up. The deadline to apply is quickly approaching on September 3.
“This program helps reduce hunger while kids are on summer break,” said Claire Seguin, a director at ODHS. Many kids don’t have the same access to healthy meals during summer as they do in school.
Eligible families can receive $120 per child for food. They can use this at most grocery stores or farmers’ markets that accept the Oregon Trail EBT card. Once families receive the money, they have about four months to spend it before it expires.
Many families already receive help through federal food assistance programs, so they automatically got this benefit in May. This includes children in foster care and some Oregon Health Plan members.
So far, Oregon has helped over 374,000 kids this year, distributing nearly $42 million. However, officials believe many eligible families might still not know about the program.
“Check if you might qualify,” Seguin urged.
The main requirement is income-based. Families must earn less than 185% of the federal poverty level to qualify. For example, a household of four making under $59,000 a year could likely get the benefit.
Interestingly, families involved with Head Start, National School Lunch, or School Breakfast programs might not have received this benefit automatically. Many of these families could still qualify, so it’s worth applying.
“This isn’t just help; it’s a lifeline for many,” said Charlene Williams, director at the Oregon Department of Education. They work closely with human services to manage the program.
The Summer EBT program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Unlike SNAP, there’s no cap on how much assistance states can provide.
“This is an entitlement, not a block grant, so we can serve as many people as possible,” Seguin explained. That’s why they are pushing to spread the word.
This is just the second year Oregon has joined the federal program, but recent budget cuts could affect its future. Seguin’s team doesn’t have updates on what will happen next.
Oregon families can apply for the benefit in two easy ways:
- Online at sebt.oregon.gov.
- By calling 833-ORE-SEBT (833-673-7328) Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
As summer ends, it’s vital for families to explore this support. It could make a real difference in their grocery budgets.
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Food | Summer | Snap | Oregon | Nutrition
