New USDA Program 2024: Wisconsin kids to get summer food benefits

New USDA Program 2024: Wisconsin is one of 35 states, five U.S. territories, and four tribes that have chosen to participate in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer programme, often known as Summer EBT. The government claims that Summer EBT is intended to augment summertime programmes that are currently in place but have a more restricted scope.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated, “No child in this country should go hungry.” “They shouldn’t go hungry because during the summer they don’t have access to wholesome school meals.”

After the USDA tried Summer EBT for a number of years, Congress decided in December 2022 to make it permanent, effective in 2024. According to the USDA, the states that declined to opt in for this summer will have the opportunity to do so for summer 2025.

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New USDA Program 2024

Summer EBT will be available to families with children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals (i.e., families that make up at least 185% of the federal poverty level). In its initial year, Summer EBT will serve around 70% of the eligible population.

According to a USDA assessment from October 17 million American households were expected to have trouble getting enough food in 2022. That was an increase from 13.5 million in 2021, when federal food assistance during the epidemic was greater.

What is the amount given to families?

During the summer, eligible families will receive $40 per kid each month, for a total of $120 per child. An EBT card, which is compatible with retailers accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme (SNAP) benefits, will be filled with the funds.

According to USDA estimates, the Summer EBT programme will deliver $2.5 billion in food benefits in total by 2024.

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Who made the decision to participate in New USDA Program 2024?

Among the four groups that will participate in the first summer is the Cherokee Nation. Chuck Hoskin Jr., Principal Chief of Cherokee National, stated that the choice was simple.

He stated, “I think there are a lot of pressures on households in terms of rent or other housing costs, all of which hitting very finite household budgets. This simply empowers parents to go out and purchase more food and some healthy options that are available, which puts a dent in that overall problem.”

Tahlequah, Oklahoma, a state that chose not to participate in Summer EBT, is home to the headquarters of the Cherokee Nation. Hoskin stated he anticipates seeing an increase in non-tribal residents of the reserve submitting applications.

This summer, the following states declined to participate: Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and Wyoming.

Those in Nebraska, Iowa, and Oklahoma who opposed Summer EBT pointed out that their states already have programmes in place that provide summertime meals for kids.

Thomas Vasquez, a spokesman for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, told the AP that the state’s Summer EBT programme implementation this year was “not feasible.” He attributed it to “the level of effort needed” to launch a new programme, the requirement for funding approval from the state legislature, and the release of USDA advice in late December.

In a statement, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt stated that, “large, duplicative federal programmes don’t accomplish that goal.” He still hopes to see “no single Oklahoma child go hungry.”Families have additional red tape to navigate as a result of them.

What more federal summertime food programmes are there?

The Summer Food Service Programme, which offers locations where children can eat for free, is currently run by all 50 states. Vilsack expressed concern that, despite its good intentions, it may not be able to “provide the help for all the children.”

He remarked, “For the life of me, I don’t understand why fifty governors aren’t participating in Summer EBT, but we’re happy that thirty-five governors are, that territories are in, and that the tribes are still cooperating with us.”