It is part of a permanent federal program that has been running since its first year and is called Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SUN Bucks). The goal of the program is to help children who receive subsidized school meals avoid nutritional deficiencies over the summer.

The money was supposed to be paid out during the summer break, but government officials said there were technical problems that delayed federal approval and prevented the program from starting earlier.

The Missouri Department of Social Services, which will oversee the program, did not provide a timeline for disbursing benefits, and a spokesman did not respond to questions.

The following children’s groups are automatically eligible and their families do not need to apply for benefits:

• Students who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch during the school year,
• Households already registered Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or temporary assistance,
• And students who live in foster families, are homeless or are migrants.

These benefits are issued to an existing card if the family is enrolled in SNAP benefits or temporary assistance, or to a new card mailed if the family is not. Families who need a new EBT card can apply for one by phone or via the ebtEDGE app.

Families who are not automatically eligible must Submit an application online by August 31st. The State Authorization Navigator informs families whether they need to apply.

Although the ministry had already announced that the funds would be paid out, it warned in its press release that “there may be delays in the payment of benefits.”

Advantages will expire 122 days after issuance, regardless of use, so families need to act quickly once benefits start being paid out. They should also hold on to the cards for next summer’s program, the state’s website advises.

Advocates of food security in the state were relieved when Missouri decided to go with the program after considering factors such as technology issues and staffing levels.

Thirteen Republican-led states dropped out of the program this year.

The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and benefits are fully funded by the federal government. The state pays half of the administrative costs. DSS manages Missouri’s administration with support from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

In Missouri, 490,000 children will receive benefits estimated at $58.8 million.

“Although we have had to overcome some difficult challenges,” said Kim Evans, director of the Family Support Division, in the press release, “I am proud of our team members who have worked diligently with our state and federal partners to get this important program off the ground.”

“We will be much better prepared for next summer and expect a smoother start and even greater success,” Evans said.

A similar, temporary program called Pandemic EBT offered several benefits during the pandemic but was plagued with administrative challenges — particularly because it required a new data collection portal to collect and share eligible students’ information with two state agencies.

The benefits to cover food costs in summer 2022 were only introduced from June 2023and Missouri declined to participate in the 2023 summer program – and foregoes at least $40 million in aid.