Midwestern states, Iowa and Nebraska, have chosen to withdraw from a federal initiative providing food assistance to low-income children during the summer months. Citing concerns about sustainability, cost, and welfare dependency, both states have informed the U.S. Department of Agriculture that they will not participate in the 2024 Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (Summer EBT) program. This program grants $40 per month to each eligible child to purchase food while schools are closed.
The primary objective of the Summer EBT program is to alleviate food insecurity and hunger among children from low-income families, especially those who depend on free or reduced-price school meals during the academic year. According to the USDA, over 30 million children receive school meals, but only about 15% have access to summer meals.
Iowa’s Republican Governor, Kim Reynolds, expressed in a news release that the program does not offer a lasting solution to the challenges faced by children and families and does not contribute to promoting nutrition or health. Reynolds suggested that the federal government should invest in existing state programs and provide more flexibility to address individual state needs.
Reynolds emphasized, “Federal COVID-era cash benefit programs are not sustainable and don’t provide long-term solutions for the issues impacting children and families. An EBT card does nothing to promote nutrition at a time when childhood obesity has become an epidemic.”
Iowa would be responsible for covering half of the program’s administrative costs, amounting to approximately $2.2 million.
Some state legislators, including Democratic Sen. Izaah Knox of Des Moines, criticized the decision, expressing concern that it would deprive hungry children of food and negatively impact the state’s economy.
Nebraska also declared its decision not to participate in the Summer EBT program, incurring an annual administrative cost of about $300,000. Nebraska’s Republican Governor, Jim Pillen, emphasized his opposition to welfare and his commitment to addressing food insecurity through alternative means. Pillen stated, “I fundamentally believe that we solve the problem, and I don’t believe in welfare.”
Despite opting out of Summer EBT, Nebraska will continue its involvement in another federal program, the Summer Food Service Program, which provides meals and activities to children at various locations, such as schools, churches, and camps.
According to the Lincoln Journal Star, some Nebraska legislators from both parties have urged the state to reconsider, arguing that Summer EBT would benefit both children and the state’s economy. They contended that the program would enhance food accessibility, reduce stigma, and contribute to local businesses’ income.
The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that at least 18 states and territories, along with two tribal nations (Cherokee Nation and Chickasaw Nation), plan to participate in Summer EBT in 2024. Notable participants include Arizona, California, Kansas, Minnesota, West Virginia, American Samoa, and Guam.
States, territories, and eligible tribal nations have until January 1 to inform the USDA of their decision to join the program for the upcoming summer.
