EBT

The deadline to apply for a federal food assistance program is Jan. 1.

Florida missed the Aug. 15 deadline to opt into the Sun Bucks program for 2025. The state opted out of the federal program in 2024, too.

Millions of children are going without extra food on the table this summer, after 13 states, including Florida, said no to joining a federal program that helps families in need buy groceries.

The program was created to help low-income families with groceries during the summer months, when it’s harder for children to get free meals at school. The decision to opt out, during an affordability crisis, surprised nonprofit leaders.

Florida opted out of the program for 2024 earlier this year. It's estimated the state lost out on around $250 million in food benefits for families.

The newest food benefits program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture will officially launch in the summer of 2024. The deadline for states to sign up was Jan. 1.

State officials announced they would accept federal money to help low-income families get food for their children. Many people in the region, including Feeding Tampa Bay say there's a real need for help.

The federal funds are earmarked for low-income children who receive free and reduced lunch, to help offset the cost of feeding them at home this summer.

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