New program targets child food insecurity this summer

Nearly 900,000 children in Michigan are eligible for a new summer food assistance program.

Many children in Michigan rely on school-based food assistance programs during the school year.

The new Michigan Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program ensures that eligible families will soon receive $120 per child.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the new program builds on similar efforts undertaken during the COVID pandemic to address student food insecurity.

“Many children in Michigan rely on the breakfast and lunch provided at their school during the school year, and we want to make sure they don’t go hungry during school breaks this summer,” said Elizabeth Hertel, director of MDHHS.

A child is eligible for Summer EBT if he or she:

• Household participants between the ages of 6 and 18 who receive assistance from the Food Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, or who are eligible for medical assistance and whose income is 185 percent of the federal poverty level or less.
• Students of any age who are eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch through the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program.
• Approved through the Summer EBT application process.