Summer EBT program uncertain in Tennessee for 2026 as state misses federal deadline

Описание: A key summer food assistance program that helps families bridge the gap when school cafeterias close could again be off the table in Tennessee.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirms that Tennessee has not submitted an application for the Summer EBT program ahead of the January 1 early deadline, raising questions about whether the state will participate in the program for 2026.

The federally funded Summer EBT program is designed to help families buy groceries during the summer months, when children no longer have access to free or reduced-price meals at school.

If Tennessee had participated, the program would have brought $84 million in federal assistance to families across the state.

Democratic State Representative John Ray Clemmons says the decision not to participate leaves thousands of families without much-needed help.

“This governor, with this most recent decision, just like last year, has decided to spend more taxpayer money to serve far fewer children in only 15 counties,” Clemmons said. “All we need to do is say yes and thank you to the federal government.”

Instead of opting into Summer EBT, Governor Bill Lee is choosing to invest $3 million in state-run food programs. Under that plan, the funding would serve about 18,000 children in 15 rural counties.

We reached out to the governor’s office to ask why he supports this approach, but we have not received a response.

However, Governor Lee told the Associated Press in 2024 that Summer EBT was:

“Established during the pandemic, [and] intended to supplement existing food assistance programs in extraordinary circumstances. We do not intend to enroll in future years.”

https://fox17.com/news/local/summer-e...

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