[CA] Summer EBT 2024 - Plan of Operations and Timeline

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the California Department of Education (CDE) have released the approved Summer EBT (S-EBT) 2024 Plan of Operations and Management. This plan aims to provide critical food benefits to approximately 5.2 million children across California during the summer of 2024. Here are the key takeaways from the plan:

Eligibility and Enrollment

• Automatic Eligibility Determination:

  • Eligibility for S-EBT benefits will be automatically determined using data from the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWs) and the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS).
  • No separate S-EBT application is required for 2024. Children must be directly certified or eligible for free and reduced-price meals (FRPM) through National School Lunch Program applications or alternative income forms.

• Data Update Requirement:

  • School Food Authorities (SFAs) should continue making eligibility determinations and updating CALPADS through August 31, 2024.

Benefit Issuance Timeline

• Phase 1:

  • Eligibility Cutoff: Public school students eligible through CALPADS or public assistance programs by March 29, 2024, and private school children by April 16, 2024.
  • Benefit Distribution: Mid-June to August 31, 2024.

• Phase 2:

  • Eligibility Window: Students newly identified as eligible from March 30, 2024, through August 31, 2024.
  • Benefit Distribution: September through November 2024.

Resources and Support

• Information and Assistance:

  • For Families: CDSS Customer Service Center can be contacted at 1-877-328-9677.
  • For SFAs: Email SummerEBT@cde.ca.gov for program-related inquiries.

• Additional Resources:

  • The CDSS has made available two informative webinars on the S-EBT program:
    • Pandemic EBT Outcomes and Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) Introduction webinar.
    • SUN Bucks – A New Summer EBT Program Coming in 2024 webinar.

• Online Resources:

  • More details about the S-EBT program can be found on the CDSS Sun BUCKS web page.

Conclusion

The Summer EBT 2024 plan ensures that millions of children in California will receive essential food benefits during the summer. The plan leverages automated data systems for efficient eligibility determination and provides clear timelines for benefit distribution. For more information, families and SFAs are encouraged to utilize the available resources and contact points provided by CDSS and CDE.

Contact Information

• CDSS Customer Service: 1-877-328-9677
• SFA Inquiries: SummerEBT@cde.ca.gov
• SUN Bucks Web Page Inquiries: SUNBucks@cdss.ca.gov

Click here to learn more about MeasureED's CALPADS Support services!