The Oregon Department of Human Services has announced that the application deadline for the new Summer EBT program has been extended to midnight on September 30th.
The program offers $120 per child to help cover grocery costs when school food programs are not as easy to access. Eligible families should act now.
Thousands of families may be unaware that they qualify for this essential benefit. Oregon DHS and the Oregon Department of Education urge families to check their eligibility and apply before the extended deadline. Once Summer EBT benefits are received, they must be used within 122 days.
Most eligible children received their benefits automatically on June 28th. Children in foster care also automatically received Summer EBT. However, families who did not receive benefits automatically -- particularly those with children who were eligible for the National School Lunch or Breakfast Programs -- should still apply to determine their eligibility.
Families are encouraged to visit "sebt.oregon.gov" or contact the Summer EBT Call Center to verify their eligibility and apply.
Since June 28th, more than 336,198 eligible school-aged children have been issued $40.3 million in Summer EBT food benefits. More than 60% of families receiving benefits in the initial issuance were able to immediately use benefits on existing Oregon EBT cards. The rest received new cards in July.
