What Is WV-SEBT?
The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) and the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) are collaborating to launch the West Virginia Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (WV-SEBT) program, which provides grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children during the summer months when schools are closed.
How do you know if your child is eligible?
Eligibility Tool
Unsure of your child’s eligibility? Take our eligibility questionnare to help if your child/ren are potentially eligible for WVSEBT. Completing this form is a resource only and is not an application nor does it guarantee benefits.
Eligibility Pathways
There are two possible pathways for being eligible for SEBT.
Pathway 1:
The child attends a school that participates in the federal school meal programs AND their household is designated as “low-income.” Low-income can be determined by one of the following ways:
- Your household receives another public benefit (such as SNAP).
If so, no further action is needed from you. The State has your information and benefits will be automatically issued in your student’s name. Benefits and all correspondence regarding the program will be mailed to the address on file with DoHS. - Your household completed a school meals application and qualified for free or reduced-price school meals in the 2023-2024 school year.
If so, no further action is needed from you. The State has your information and benefits will be automatically issued in your student’s name. Benefits will be mailed to the address on file with the child’s school. - Your child attends a CEP school in West Virginia where they cannot collect free/reduced-price applications and your household does not receive another public benefit – however, you believe your household meets the income criteria to be designated as “low-income.”
If so, you must complete the Summer EBT application for CEP students. Households with CEP students who meet the federal income requirements will be eligible for this benefit through an application submission.- You can complete the application online by visiting schoolcafe.com. When the application is live, you will be able to select the West Virginia Summer EBT application option. The WVSEBT application portal will be available starting on Monday, April 22, 2024.
- If you do not have reliable internet access, you may visit a local DoHS office for assistance.
- You may call the hotline at 1-866-545-6502.
For a printable flow chart that visually explains Pathway 1 eligibility, download the USDA Eligibility Flow Chart For Students Attending a School that Participates in the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program.
Pathway 2:
Your child is a West Virginia resident between 6 and 17 and your household receives a qualifying public benefit (such as SNAP). This pathway does not depend upon the type of school your child attends, but the household MUST be a public benefit-receiving household.
Example:
A child 7 years old is homeschooled and their household receives SNAP. This student is eligible for SEBT.
Due to federal regulations, this group of students cannot apply for SEBT. Unfortunately, federal law prohibits the State of West Virginia from collecting any applications for this group of students.
DoHS will already have records of your school-aged children living in your household through existing public benefit records. If you are unsure of the status of your DoHS case file, you will need to contact your case worker for more information.
For a printable flow chart that visually explains Pathway 2 eligibility, download the USDA Eligibility Flow Chart for School-Aged Children Who are Not Attending a School that Participates in the Federal School Meals’ Programs.
Farm To SEBT
West Virginia is recognized nationally as a leader in farm-to-school. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture and the West Virginia Department of Education – as well as non-profits and community members have dedicated this priority for over a decade to connect West Virginia producers with schools to increase locally sourced products in school nutrition programs. West Virginia has over 20,000 farms, over thirty farmer markets and several brick and mortar stores offering a variety of locally grown and raised food available to you.
In 2019, the Fresh Food Act was signed into law requiring all state funded institutions, including West Virginia schools, to purchase a minimum of five percent of its food from in state producers and support West Virginia farms. To find a West Virginia farm near you, please contact your local county extension agent.
SNAP Stretch
SNAP Stretch is a program that doubles and triples SNAP/EBT/S-EBT dollars at West Virginia farmers markets, roadside stands, mobile markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs), and even a few brick and mortar stores. Families with children present at the market can earn a 1:2 match for their SNAP/EBT/P-EBT purchase of fruits and vegetables in order to purchase more fruits and vegetables. For example, if a family with children spend $20 in SNAP/EBT/S-EBT on fruits and vegetables, they would earn an additional $40 to be spent on fruit and vegetables.
To learn more about the Snap Stretch program and its availability in 2024, check out the program details, or read the FAQ. You can also find a market that is closest to you.
How to Incorporate Local Food into your Family Menu
West Virginia farms grow a variety of produce throughout the year. Various meats, eggs, fruits, leafy greens, and garden favorites are available from a local farm or market near you. Need some ideas on ways to cook your local food? WVU Extension offers a plethora of recipes including many that utilize regional locally grown foods. Available recipes range from including your classic garden favorites to using less familiar foods that may become a new family staple at your table.
For more recipes, including seasonal-friendly ingredients, guidelines for choosing the best quality fruit and vegetables, and information on properly preparing your produce, visit the Farmers’ Market Cookbook.
For recipes utilizing seasonal summer produce that are heathy, low cost, and delicious. From smoothies, to wraps, to summer salads, there are a range of recipes to consider.
Summer Recipes
Visit the Snap-Ed Connection for summer recipes utilizing seasonal summer produce that are heathy, low cost, and delicious. From smoothies, to wraps, to summer salads, there are a range of recipes to consider.
Information for Producers
To learn more about connecting with school nutrition programs, please contact:
Melinda Francis
melinda.francis@k12.wv.us
724.322.7757-or-
Leslie Boggess
lboggess@wvda.us
304.558.2210
WVU Extension Small Farm Center
WVU Extension Service Small Farm Center experts know West Virginia farms are unique. With advice that is sized “just right” for producers, there is something for budding farmers who want to sell at their local farmer’s market up to large-scale poultry farmers who want to increase efficiency.
WV Food and Farm Coalition
The WV Food and Farm Coalition works to build the local food and agriculture system in West Virginia in a way that provides viable incomes for farmers and local food businesses and ensures all residents have access to locally produced food.
West Virginia Summer Food Service Program
In addition to the Summer EBT (SEBT) program that provides income-eligible families with summer food buying benefits, the State of West Virginia will have hundreds of sites across the state that will be providing free meals for ALL children up to the age of 18 throughout the summer! Even if your child does not qualify for SEBT, there are many locations where you can access free meals this summer.
Summer food site locations are places in communities where children can come to receive meals at no cost in a safe and supervised environment. Sites may be in various settings, including schools, parks, community centers, libraries, farmers’ markets, apartment complexes, and churches. Sites may also choose to offer enrichment opportunities for children, such as reading, physical activity, or nutrition education.
Schools, local government agencies, camps, faith-based and other nonprofit community organizations that can manage a food service program may be SFSP sponsors.
Starting May 20, 2024, you may text “FOOD” (or “COMIDA”) to 304304 to find the nearest Summer Food Service Program location near you. Data is updated weekly to reflect active sites in your area.
Important SEBT Contact Information
ADA Compliance
This program is covered by the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) and Section 504 Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Department is committed to providing individuals with disabilities an equal and meaningful opportunity to participate in, and benefit from, Summer EBT. If you have questions about receiving an ADA accommodation or would like to request an accommodation, please contact 304-941-6319.
Non-Discrimination Statement
USDA FNS Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
- Mail:
S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or - Fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or - Email:
Intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Declaración De No Discriminación Del USDA
De acuerdo con la ley federal de derechos civiles y las normas y políticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de EE. UU. (USDA), esta institución tiene prohibido discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo (incluida la identidad de género y la orientación sexual), discapacidad, edad, o represalia o represalia por actividad anterior de derechos civiles.
La información del programa puede estar disponible en otros idiomas además del inglés. Las personas con discapacidades que requieran medios alternativos de comunicación para obtener información del programa (p. ej., Braille, letra grande, cinta de audio, lenguaje de señas estadounidense), deben comunicarse con la agencia estatal o local responsable que administra el programa o el Centro TARGET del USDA al (202) 720- 2600 (voz y TTY) o comuníquese con USDA a través del Servicio Federal de Retransmisión al (800) 877-8339.
Para presentar una queja por discriminación en el programa, el Demandante debe completar el Formulario AD-3027, Formulario de queja por discriminación en el programa del USDA, que se puede obtener en línea, desde cualquier oficina del USDA, llamando al (866) 632-9992, o escribiendo una carta dirigida al USDA. La carta debe contener el nombre, la dirección, el número de teléfono y una descripción escrita de la supuesta acción discriminatoria del denunciante con suficiente detalle para informar al Subsecretario de Derechos Civiles (ASCR) sobre la naturaleza y la fecha de la supuesta violación de los derechos civiles. El formulario o carta AD-3027 completo debe enviarse al USDA antes de:
- Correo:
Departamento de Agricultura de EE. UU.
Oficina del Subsecretario de Derechos Civiles
1400 Avenida Independencia, SW
Washington, DC 20250-9410; o - Fax:
(833) 256-1665 o (202) 690-7442; o - Correo electrónico:
intake@usda.gov
Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.