As the summer season approaches, families are preparing for a time of rest, family bonding, and recharging for the upcoming school year.
However, for many families, this period can also be stressful due to the added responsibility of feeding their children during the long summer break.
With food prices rising and household expenses increasing, some families are worried about how they will manage to keep their children fed.
To address this, the federal government has launched a new summer initiative to help ease the burden.
What is SNAP and How Does it Help?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as food stamps, helps feed over 40 million Americans every year by providing financial assistance to buy groceries.
For many low-income families, SNAP is an essential lifeline that ensures they don’t go without food, especially for children. The program plays a vital role in preventing child poverty and helping families make ends meet.
Although SNAP is federally funded, each state is responsible for distributing the benefits, and they may have different eligibility criteria.
However, there are standard federal guidelines based on household income and size. Families’ eligibility for SNAP largely depends on their income relative to the number of people in their household.
$120 Summer Checks for Qualifying Families
To support families during the summer, the federal government has introduced a new program called ‘SUN Bucks.’ Normally, during the school year, children benefit from school meals, but with summer break, families are left to cover the additional costs of feeding their children at home.
The ‘SUN Bucks’ initiative aims to help alleviate this burden by providing $120 worth of food stamps for each qualifying child aged 6-18 years old.
To qualify for the $120 summer check, families must meet the following criteria:
- Be enrolled in SNAP or other assistance programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).
- Have a child who participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP).
If your family meets these qualifications, you don’t need to take any further action. The additional benefits will automatically be loaded onto your existing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.
If you don’t already have an EBT card, one will be sent to you. The distribution schedule may vary by state, with some states starting in May and others in June.
Concerns Over Future SNAP Cuts
While the new summer initiative is a welcome relief, there are growing concerns about the future of SNAP benefits. Reports have surfaced regarding possible cuts to federal funding for SNAP, especially under the Trump Administration.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was tasked with reviewing federal spending, has recommended slashing funds for various social programs, including SNAP.
A new budget proposal, amounting to over $1 trillion in cuts, has been passed by the House and is currently under consideration in the Senate.
If this proposal moves forward, it could lead to significant reductions in SNAP funding.
This would place a burden on states, who would have to figure out how to fill the gap, potentially limiting the support available to vulnerable families in need.
While the SNAP program remains a crucial lifeline for millions of families, the new summer checks offer much-needed relief to those struggling with food costs during the summer months.
However, with concerns over potential budget cuts, it’s important for families to stay informed about future changes and ensure they continue to access the benefits they need.
FAQs
What is the new $120 SNAP check for families?
The new $120 SNAP check is part of the federal government’s initiative to help low-income families feed their children during the summer. It is provided to families with children aged 6-18 who meet specific eligibility criteria for SNAP or other assistance programs.
How can I qualify for the $120 summer food stamps?
To qualify for the $120 check, you need to be enrolled in SNAP or other assistance programs such as TANF or FDPIR. Additionally, your child must participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP).
Do I need to apply for the $120 benefit?
No, if you already participate in one of the qualifying programs, the $120 benefit will be automatically loaded onto your existing EBT card, or a new one will be sent to you if you do not have one. No further action is required on your part.
When will I receive the $120 benefit?
The distribution of the $120 benefit varies by state. Some states started rolling out the benefit in May, while others will begin in June. Check with your local SNAP office for specific details on when you can expect your benefits.
Is SNAP funding at risk of being cut?
There are concerns that SNAP funding may be reduced in the future due to proposed budget cuts under the Trump Administration. These cuts, if approved, could impact the amount of assistance provided through SNAP in the coming years.
Will seniors get any help I get food stamps but it’s not enough I worked all my life just to retire and get 1500$ by the time I pay my rent I’m broke some months I can’t wash my clothes you need to rise Ssa mr president please for god sakes by the second week in the moth my food is gone thank god my son has a good job
Hello Donna oxendine,
Yes govt also have programmes for seniors
Every time I check on benefits for seniors it wants me to change my benefits is there a program for seniors to use just to get extra benefits with out changing my insurance?
No I get about 25 calls a day wanting me to change insurance and they will advertise these benefits like 1500 dollars and don’t tell you what you have to do to get it but you call and they want you to change your insurance and then you tell them you have insurance then they call you 7 days a week 20 times a day you don’t get any peace from it and you block them and they still call you just from another number and also they will say somebody else on caller ID just so you will answer it and it’s them and they also use local number to get you to answer the phone
I would like to know what help is for food by the time I pay my bills and pay my co pay for going to kidney specialist I don’t have anything left to pay for groceries. I get 70 dollars a month from my supplemental insurance but by the time I buy bed pads and adult diapers I don’t have enough to barely buy enough to cover a week in food. See I am 65 years old and on disability social security I live in Alabama and according to them I make to much to get ssi. Every single month prices go up and the stupid people that investigate the cost of living are stupid if they think that seniors can make it on their monthly benefits. With electric going up and rent prices going up and food prices going up yes gas has come down some but it still takes a toll on the wallet. It’s stupid that someone can sit behind a desk and control someone else’s life while they don’t do their job to check every single state’s because prices are different in every state. I also had my money go up in what I am paying social security back for they say I owe because they said I got two checks one month and I didn’t. The check that was to be deposited into my bank account didn’t go into my bank account it went into somebody else’s account that used my information to make the account and I complained about it but hell no it didn’t do any good because our government is never wrong even though they are I got one check that one they sent to replace the one I was suppose to get. Social Security is ripping me off and I can’t do anything about they take 185 a month for Medicare and they take nearly 200 to pay the social security back. It’s not right something needs to be done to make these people do their jobs that they are suppose to do and get off their butts and do it.
Yes I just read on my phone about $120 cinemas I was wondering how can I receive this I do get food stamps so if you can please fill me in on more information on this what I got to do to be able to get this $120 cinemas please and thank you
Please impeach Trump NOW
Im a 73 years old with knee problem im not on SNAP do i qualify for the stimulus check
Hello Doniece Anderson,
You must meet one out of two conditions – To qualify for the $120 summer check, families must meet the following criteria:
Be enrolled in SNAP or other assistance programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).
Have a child who participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP).
I doubt it because the government doesn’t care about the people who are suffering because of prices all they care about is helping people who are not Americans and who are already rich like these spoiled sports players. They even have enough money to buy food and drugs but people who don’t have enough money to afford food it’s based on what we make a month and anyway the stimulus is for people who have school age children not anyone on social security or disability it seems like everything is for people on retirement and I’m 65 and now they up the retirement age so they never mention anything for the disabled getting stimulus money.
Long live king trump !!!
Wow what do you mean by that long live King Trump he did get rid of some of the immigrants that we don’t need in here they’re taking all the jobs away from people that shouldn’t I think he’s doing a pretty good job but he does need to get some of these prices down that we can afford really
With all the money that Doge supposedly recouped and all the Social Security money, the government stopped paying to fake accounts. Where is all that money and what happened to the stimulus checks coming from that money recovered???
I’m with you. There was talk that if DOGE saved or cut 2 trillion dollars from the budget that each taxpayer would get a $5000. Refund. Unfortunately DOGE didn’t hit their mark! Couple that with the fact that many of the funds that were clawed back won’t be felt until 2026 – 2029 It looks like we were gaslit !