Some hope summer EBT program reaches more in need

[May 09, 2024]  By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributor

(The Center Square) – More than a million children across Illinois are projected to be eligible for Mayor Brandon Johnson’s federally backed plan to help keep families fed this summer.

State Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, is hoping to see Johnson’s Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children, projected to benefit more than a million children, adjusted to benefit even more residents.

Starting this summer, the program backed by federal taxpayers is set to issue grocery cards of $120 to families of school-aged children for each child, regardless of citizenship.

“I think that the mayor has shared his vision and his compassion for the migrants or the new arrivals,” Ford told The Center Square. “Being the Mayor, he has the power to do that. If he has the sole authority in his executive power to provide these funds, I think that we have to make sure we leave no one behind. There are some people that are eligible and that are hungry and need these benefits that will not get them because they don't have the wraparound services.”

As it is, estimates are that about 1.15 million children will instantly be deemed as eligible for the program, with all those coming from households with incomes at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. They will automatically be added to the rolls.

Ford argues even more outreach is needed to actually come anywhere close to reaching all those that are likewise in need.

“There are some people that are eligible and that are hungry and need these benefits that will not get it because they don't have the wraparound services to help connect them to it,” he said. “I think that the new arrivals and other people that have the wraparound programs to make sure that they're connected to these benefits, it's going to work for them. I hope that there's some support for the men and women that's homeless on the street that don't have safety net support.”

In the end, Ford said he can’t see how anyone can be pleased or even content with the way things are.

“Mothers with children, fathers with children that have already qualified to be living in poverty, they should be connected to case managers just like the new arrivals. There must be case managers for people living in poverty to help connect them to resources like this,” Ford said. “The money is going to run out and the people that are going to get it first are those that are organized and ready to get it and we know that the people that are organized are the people that have case managers.”

Children will also be automatically enrolled in the program if they are enrolled in programs that include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Income Eligible Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or are in foster care.