by Lori Kersey, West Virginia Watch
June 4, 2025

While some Republican-led states have opted out of the federal initiative, West Virginia has launched the 2025 Summer EBT program to help low-income families pay for food during the summer months when children are home from school.

This year, 11 states decided not to offer the federal program, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. All 11 non-participating states — Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee and Wyoming — are led by Republican governors.

A 12th Republican-led state, Oklahoma, will offer the program only to tribal nations.

“Recognizing the importance of ensuring children have access to nutritious meals year-round, [West Virginia] opted to participate in this federally funded initiative to combat food insecurity among its youth,” Angel Hightower, a communications specialist for the state Department of Human Services, said in a statement.

The federal program provides families with $120 in grocery benefits per each eligible school-age child during the summer.

The Department of Human Services estimates the program will benefit 165,000 children in the state this year. Most existing participants received their first benefits by June 1, Hightower said. The state will continue processing new applicants through Aug. 20.

Those with school-age children who already receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid or  Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are automatically enrolled in the program.

Families are also eligible if their child attends a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program and the household makes up to 185% of the federal poverty level. For 2025, a family of four can make up to about $59,000 and be eligible for the program.

Families can apply online at http://schoolcafe.com or download an application at http://dhhr.wv.gov/bfa/programs/Pages/Summer-EBT.aspx. Applications are also available at any Department of Human Services county office.

West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com.

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Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Left

This article presents the federal Summer EBT program as a positive initiative aimed at combating food insecurity among children during summer months. It highlights West Virginia’s participation in the program favorably, contrasting it with Republican-led states that have opted out. The framing subtly critiques Republican governors for declining the program without delving deeply into their reasoning, implying a preference for government assistance programs. While the tone remains largely factual, the emphasis on the benefits of the program and the states’ choices reflects a center-left perspective supportive of social welfare policies.