Charleston, West Virginia — The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) announced that thousands of children in the state will receive additional grocery assistance this summer through the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program.
The Bureau for Family Assistance (BFA) has been approved to provide all qualifying children with a one-time $120 grocery benefit during the summer of 2025.
Summer EBT funds can be used to purchase any SNAP-eligible food item and are accepted at all West Virginia EBT retailers.
“Ensuring that every child has access to nutritious meals is a cornerstone of building strong, healthy communities,” stated Janie Cole, Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services Bureau for Family Assistance.
“Implementing West Virginia’s Summer EBT program represents a crucial step forward in supporting residents by providing essential grocery assistance during the summer months, as we maintain our commitment to fostering a brighter future for West Virginia children.”
Who is Eligible?
There are two ways families can qualify for the Summer EBT program:
Pathway #1 – No Application Needed
Children between ages 6 and 17 who are currently receiving qualifying benefits such as:
- SNAP (Food Stamps)
- WV WORKS
- Certain types of Medicaid
- Foster care services
- Identified as homeless, migrant, or a runaway
- Enrolled in WV Head Start
- Approved through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Families that qualify under Pathway #1 do not need to apply. Benefits will be automatically issued.
Pathway #2 – Application Required
Children between ages 4 and 21 who:
- Are enrolled in a school that participates in the NSLP
- Live in a household at or below 185% of the federal poverty level
These families must apply for Summer EBT either:
- Online: schoolcafe.com
- In-person: By picking up a paper application at a local DoHS office
- Online download: dhhr.wv.gov Summer EBT Page
Applicants may be required to submit income verification. Note: Local school districts and Boards of Education will not accept applications. Only DoHS can determine eligibility.
When Will Benefits Be Issued?
Pathway #2 recipients will typically receive benefits within 30 days of approval, starting June 2025 Pathway #1 recipients will begin receiving benefits by the end of the 2024-2025 school year