300,000 Kids To Benefit From Colorado’s New $120 Summer EBT Program – How To Qualify?

Colorado Families to Receive $120 Summer EBT Payments for School Lunches

$120 Summer EBT program for Colorado Kids

Parents in Colorado with school-aged children will receive a one-time payment of $120 to supplement school lunches during the summer months. According to The US Sun, this initiative is part of the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program that was designed to provide nutritious food to eligible students while they are home from school in June, July, and August. The Summer EBT program allocates $40 per child each month which is distributed as a lump sum of $120 on pre-loaded cards. The director of the Colorado Department of Human Services’ Division of Food and Energy Assistance who is Karla Maraccini has expressed excitement about the Summer EBT program in a news release from April. She mentioned that the department is eager to support over 300,000 Colorado children by taking part in the summer EBT program. Any restaurant that takes SNAP benefits including internet retailers like Amazon and Walmart accepts these cards for food purchases.

She also highlighted that these benefits along with other nutrition assistance programs like SNAP, WIC, and summer meal sites will ensure kids have access to nutritious foods during the summer months when school isn’t in session. Families eligible for this program began receiving notifications through the mail about their eligibility last week. The pre-loaded cards are expected to be sent to these families within 45 days of receiving their approval notice. Importantly, no action is needed from the families to receive these benefits as they will automatically receive the summer EBT if their child qualifies for free or reduced-priced school meals. Additionally, families who participate in SNAP, Colorado Works, or other resource programs will also automatically receive the payments. Eligibility can also be determined if a family’s income falls within the National School Lunch Program guidelines for Medicaid.

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300,000 Kids To Benefit From Colorado’s New $120 Summer EBT Program – How To Qualify? (PHOTO: The US Sun)

How to Ensure Eligibility and Activate Your $120 Summer EBT Card in Colorado

Furthermore, to ensure they receive the notice of approval parents are advised to make sure their child’s school has the correct and current information for the family’s address. If a family is not automatically enrolled but believes their children may be eligible for summer EBT they can fill out an application for free and reduced-priced school meals at their child’s school by September 14. Once received the pre-loaded cards need to be activated by setting a personal identification number (PIN) which can be done by calling 1-888-328-2656. Families can also use this number to check their balance, change their PIN or report a lost or damaged card. The Summer EBT program extends beyond Colorado covering 37 states, five territories, and two Tribes providing essential food assistance to students across the nation.

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