Jan. 16—The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is launching its own Summer EBT for Children program with schools beginning to partner with the tribe prior to applications opening.
Previously, applications for the program went through the tribe’s partnership with the Chickasaw Nation.
Schools within the Choctaw Nation Reservation are currently approving partnerships with the tribe for the program.
McAlester Public School’s Board of Education on Monday unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the tribe.
According to the MOU, the school will provide information to the tribe regarding students receiving and eligible for free and reduced meals.
“For the purposes of processing Summer EBT applications, the school shall distribute all documents provided by Nation to all students through various means, including but not limited to, sending documents home with students in the backpacks and folders,” the MHU states. “These documents will be used to recruit participants for the programs.”
The school will also verify enrollment and free and reduced lunch status of all applicants to the tribe, the MHU states.
To be eligible for the program, students must be enrolled in a participating school district in grades pre-k to 12th grades. Students must also be receiving or eligible to receive free or reduced-cost meals at school or enrolled in the foster care system.
For students enrolled in a charter school or homeschooled, a household member must be receiving certain specific state or federal benefits.
“Specific income guidelines may also need to be met,” according to the tribe.
The federally funded program is also available to anyone, and students do not have to be Native American to qualify.
Participation in this program will have no impact on other government assistance being received.
The program allows qualifying families to receive $40 of free food per child per month for May, June, July, and August. Once approved, Summer EBT cards will be mailed to the address provided, along with a list of participating stores. Parents will also receive a food card and shopping list to help identify approved food items.
Applications for the program will become available in early April 2025, according to the tribe.