Utah to start Summer EBT in 2025; parents will be able to opt out of DWS data sharing

Tammy Walker, presenting for Child Nutrition Programs, told the board group that the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 authorized a permanent summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (SEBT) program and that Utah secured state funding to participate beginning in summer 2025.

Walker said USBE, CNP and the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) will coordinate to collect eligibility data in May 2025 and estimated benefits could be issued to about 160,000 students in 2025 — similar volume to pandemic EBT summer issuances. "Households that have selected that opt out will not be issued SEBT benefits through the data sharing agreement," Walker said, explaining that any household that opts out on the school free/reduced application must apply separately to DWS to receive benefits.

USBE staff described required changes to the Utreks file spec beginning May 2025, including a DWS Summer EBT opt-out flag (yes/no), eligibility start and end dates, eligibility source (SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, foster, FDPIR, HMR, or income application), mailing address for benefit cards and parent/guardian name. Staff warned CEP and provision schools cannot share data under the DWS agreement; students at those schools must apply directly to DWS for SEBT benefits.

CNP staff said they will provide new free/reduced-price applications that include the opt-out checkbox for school year 2024–25 (effective July 1 for application materials) and that LEAs must be able to track students whose households opt out so they are excluded from the CNP→DWS data share.