Florida – The U.S. witnessed an experiment in strengthening the social safety net, which included bolstered anti-poverty programs. One such initiative, Pandemic EBT, provided families with vouchers to purchase groceries while children were unable to attend school in person. This program helped millions of children obtain the nutrition they would have received through free school meals, significantly reducing hunger.
Introduction of Summer EBT Program
Building on this success, Congress approved a permanent program called SUN Bucks or Summer EBT in late 2022. This program, which begins this month, offers families $40 per child per month in grocery benefits during the summer, totaling $120 per child when they don’t have access to school lunches. The Department of Agriculture estimates that Summer EBT will reach over 20 million children, addressing a critical gap in summer nutrition.
Republican-Led States Opt Out
Despite the benefits, 13 states led by Republican governors, including Florida, have opted out of the program. This decision deprives millions of low-income children of much-needed nutritional support. The states that opted out include Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Oklahoma, Mississippi, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.
Political and Logistical Justifications
Governors from these states have cited various reasons for their decisions, ranging from logistical difficulties to ideological opposition. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds dismissed the program, stating, “An EBT card does nothing to promote nutrition at a time when childhood obesity has become an epidemic.” Similarly, a Florida state official claimed, “We anticipate that our state’s full approach to serving children will continue to be successful this year without any additional federal programs that inherently always come with some federal strings attached.”
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Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves’ spokesperson argued that Summer EBT amounted to “attempts to expand the welfare state,” adding, “If Democrats in Washington had their way, Americans would still be locked down, subjected to Covid vaccine and mask mandates, and welfare rolls would’ve exploded.” Meanwhile, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s office suggested that federal money often comes with “strings attached,” making it less desirable.
Impact on Children and Communities
The refusal to participate in Summer EBT has significant repercussions. In states like Oklahoma, Governor Kevin Stitt rejected $60 million in federal funding, expressing confidence that “kids won’t be going hungry in the summertime.” However, Chris Bernard, president and CEO of Hunger Free Oklahoma, noted that only 6 percent of eligible children in the state participate in summer meal programs, highlighting the insufficiency of existing programs.
Despite opting out, several Native tribes in Oklahoma will participate in the program, providing benefits to Native and non-Native children living in tribal territories. This creates a patchwork of coverage, leaving some children without support based on their location.
Texas’s Logistical Challenges
Texas, the second-largest state, also opted out, citing logistical issues. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission argued that the U.S. Department of Agriculture did not provide sufficient time to implement the program. Additionally, the state is currently focused on unenrolling people from Medicaid after the federal government lifted pandemic-era continuous coverage requirements.
Charitable Sector Strain
With the absence of federal support, the burden of feeding low-income families falls on the charitable sector. Organizations like the Houston Food Bank are stepping up, but they face challenges in meeting the increased demand. Brian Greene, president and CEO of the Houston Food Bank, stated, “We do not think this is the best solution. The best solution is for those families just to be able to buy the food they need less expensively at supermarkets.”
Future Participation
There is still hope for the future. States that opted out this year can choose to participate in Summer EBT next year. Oklahoma Governor Stitt has not ruled out future participation, and states like Texas may resolve their administrative issues in time for next summer.
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The situation mirrors the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion, where many initially resistant states eventually opted in, recognizing the health and fiscal benefits. As research continues to demonstrate the positive impact of programs like Summer EBT, more states may follow suit, ensuring that all children have access to essential nutrition during the summer months.
