The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) and Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) have announced that the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) application is now available, though many families will receive the benefit automatically and won’t need to apply. The Summer EBT initiative provides essential nutritional support to children during the summer months when school meals are unavailable, ensuring they receive the nutritious food they need to grow and thrive.
“As part of my administration’s broad effort to end childhood hunger in Arkansas, every student has access to free breakfast during the school year, and now, for the third year in a row, we’re making sure they’re getting help in the summer months too,” said Governor Sanders. “No child should have to worry about where their food will come from, and that’s why I am proud that Arkansas will once again be participating in the Summer EBT program. When our kids are fed and fueled, they grow stronger and learn faster. And when our kids are succeeding, so are we.”
Building on the success of last year’s program, which served approximately 324,000 children, the 2026 Summer EBT program will offer $120 in food benefits per eligible child. These funds will be distributed via pre-loaded EBT cards, allowing families to purchase groceries and maintain access to nutritious meals throughout the summer. The Summer EBT program supplements the free meal options at summer meal sites in communities across Arkansas…