Food and Nutrition Programs

Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (S-EBT) Program for Summer 2024

On May 31, 2024, Massachusetts was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide Summer-EBT (S-EBT) benefits to eligible households during Summer 2024. Today, the Governor issued a press release announcing the approval. This memorandum is intended to outline S-EBT eligibility, highlight important changes from Pandemic EBT, provide guidance on districts' responsibilities and provide helpful resources for districts and families.

S-EBT provides grocery-buying benefits in the amount of $120 per child to income eligible families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer. The program is administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) in partnership with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) with assistance from schools. S-EBT complements the Summer Eats program which provides free meals to kids and teens in eligible areas all summer long.

S-EBT income eligibility standards are the same as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). As such, all enrolled students identified as meeting the income eligibility standards for free or reduced price lunch during School Year 2023-2024, either through an NSLP household paper application or direct certification, are automatically eligible for S-EBT. The eligibility period for 2024 Summer EBT goes through September 7, 2024.

Note: For Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools, only families of students identified as free or reduced price eligible through direct certification will be automatically eligible (streamlined certification). This is a change from Pandemic EBT. All other families can apply directly through DTA or a paper application through the school if requested.

Important: All families with students directly certified for free or reduced price meals in both CEP and non-CEP schools will be identified at DTA and issued benefits without district or family involvement. Therefore, districts will only need to submit to the DESE information on students approved through the NSLP household paper application (non-CEP schools), the new S-EBT paper application (CEP schools) and students who are categorically eligible for free school meals (homeless, migrant, runaway or Head Start).

S-EBT Student Eligibility in Summer 2024

Streamlined Certification

• Currently enrolled students who have been approved for free or reduced price meals through the Direct Certification matching process.
• DTA will issue benefits without district or family involvement.
• Data is reflective of SY 2023-2024 through June 30, 2024.
• Currently enrolled students identified as homeless, migrant, runaway or Head Start are eligible for S-EBT and districts will need to report these students to DESE.
  • DESE's Student Data Services will provide district data coordinators guidance on how to report these students to DESE
• Newly Eligible Students in Summer 2024 as of July 1, 2024
  • DTA will issue benefits based upon newly eligible students that are matched through Direct Certification between July 1, 2024, and September 7, 2024.

NSLP Household Application

• Currently enrolled students who have been approved for free or reduced price meals through the NSLP Household Application.
• Data is reflective of SY 2023-2024 through June 30, 2024.
• DESE's Student Data Services will provide district data coordinators guidance on how to report these students to DESE
• Non-CEP schools should encourage families to apply for S-EBT benefits via the DTA Connect web-based S-EBT application. A paper NSLP household application must be made available if requested.
• Note: Online Application Will Not Be Available Until June 15^th
• Newly Eligible Students in Summer 2024 as of July 1, 2024
  • Newly eligible families that apply between July 1, 2024 and September 7, 2024, must use the SY 24-25 income eligibility guidelines.

S-EBT Application

• Families of currently enrolled students attending a CEP school and not matched through Streamlined Certification may apply for S-EBT benefits via the DTA Connect web-based S-EBT application.
• Note: Online Application Will Not Be Available Until June 15^th.
• CEP schools should encourage families to apply online directly with DTA. A paper S-EBT application must be available if requested.
• Two S-EBT applications: A version for families applying on or before June 30, 2024 and a version for families applying between July 1, 2024 and September 7, 2024.
• Note: Paper Applications Will Be Emailed to CEP Districts Closer to or on June 15^th.
• CEP districts are required to review the S-EBT application for completion and confirm the student is enrolled in the district.
• CEP districts that provide paper S-EBT applications will be responsible for staffing non-school nutrition personnel to determine and confirm S-EBT eligibility.
• DESE's Student Data Services will provide district data coordinators guidance on how to report these students to DESE.
• Note: S-EBT applications are subject to Verification for Cause as described in 7 CFR 245.6a(c)(7) and the USDA Eligibility Manual for School Meals .
• Reminder: The school lunch revolving account is an unallowable use of funds to support the S-EBT application process.

How to Help Families in your Community

1. Communicate to families who are matched through Direct Certification that DTA will be issuing benefits without district or family involvement. DTA will notify these families directly during the first week of July.
2. Communicate to families who are not matched through Direct Certification or approved through an NSLP household application to apply for S-EBT via the DTA Connect web-based S-EBT application.
   • CEP Schools: Make the S-EBT paper application available through September 7, 2024
   • Non-CEP Schools: Make the NSLP household application available through September 7, 2024
3. Promote S-EBT to your families through social media, newsletters, and email using S-EBT outreach materials.
4. Ensure district family engagement and welcome center staff are knowledgeable about S-EBT and can communicate to families about eligibility and how to apply.
5. Ensure district data coordinators are prepared to submit eligible students approved through paper applications or categorically eligible for free school meals to the DESE Data Collection team.
6. For more information on S-EBT, please refer to: Massachusetts Summer EBT Program | Mass.gov.
7. For Frequently Asked Questions, please refer to: Summer EBT FAQ | Mass.gov.

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