In recognition of the limited timeline states have to implement the new Summer EBT/SUN Bucks program, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services is allowing states to apply for waivers to support full implementation of the program in 2024. The District of Columbia applied for several USDA waivers in order to successfully implement Summer EBT / SUN Bucks, including:
- Income applications (7CFR 292.12(f)(1)). The Summer EBT agency must notify (or place notification in the mail) eligible households of a child's approved status within 15 operational days of receipt of a complete application.
- The District will notify eligible households as quickly as possible; however, the state is requesting this waiver to accommodate resource availability.
- Denied applications and the notice of denial. 7 CFR 292.12(g) The Summer EBT agency must provide written notice to each household denied benefits within 15 operational days of receipt of a complete application.
- The District will notify eligible households as quickly as possible; however, the state is requesting this waiver to accommodate resource availability.
- Benefit issuance 7 CFR 292.15(c)(1)(i)(A). For children who can be streamline certified or who have an approved Summer EBT application on file, benefits must be issued and available for participants to use seven to 14 calendar days before the start of the summer operational period.
- The District will distribute benefits as quickly as possible; however, the state is requesting this waiver to accommodate resource availability.
- Benefit issuance 7 CFR 292.15(c)(1)(i)(B). For eligible children who apply after the summer operational period begins, benefits must be issued and available to spend not later than 15 operational days after a complete application is received by the Summer EBT agency.
- The District will distribute benefits as quickly as possible; however, the state is requesting this waiver to accommodate resource availability.
Non-Discrimination Statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly. 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 at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, 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:U.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:[email protected]
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.