Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA-06) and the Georgia Democratic Congressional Delegation have sent a letter to Governor Brian Kemp urging him to accept federal funding for the USDA’s Summer EBT program, which is designed to help feed students during the summer months. This marks the second consecutive year that Governor Kemp has declined participation in the program.
According to the delegation, more than 40% of Georgia’s 2.8 million children are eligible for this benefit but cannot access it due to the state’s decision not to participate. The letter states: “This month marks the end of the second consecutive year that you have refused to participate in USDA’s Summer EBT program despite the overwhelming rates of hunger and food insecurity across our state. Additionally, your office never responded to either of our letters requesting that Georgia participate in Summer EBT in 2025 nor did your office provide families in our state with more information on how you came to the decision to not participate. As mentioned in previous letters, Summer EBT would provide the poorest children and families with a $40 benefit per eligible child per month, totaling $120 dollars for the summer. Of the roughly 2.8 million children in Georgia, over 40% of them are eligible for this benefit but are prevented from participating due to your continued decision to not participate in the program.”
The letter was signed by Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff as well as Representatives Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr., David Scott, Sanford Bishop, and Nikema Williams.
Governor Kemp’s administration has not participated in this federal initiative during both summers of 2024 and 2025 and has yet to clarify if Georgia will join next year. Rep. McBath previously sent multiple letters seeking an explanation from Governor Kemp regarding his stance on this issue.
The delegation requests that Governor Kemp submit Georgia’s Interim Plan for Operations and Management (iPOM) by August 15, 2025, and file a Notice of Intent (NOI) by January 1, 2026, should he decide for Georgia to take part in summer 2026.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer EBT Program—also called “Sun Bucks”—provides low-income families with school-aged children $40 per eligible child each month during summer when school is out. For summer 2025, Georgia was among twelve states that chose not to participate.
Congressional Republicans recently passed legislation reducing SNAP benefits by $300 billion over ten years. The Democratic delegation argues that declining programs like Summer EBT further threatens food security for many families at a time when national assistance is being cut.
Lucy McBath currently serves as U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 7th district after defeating Jeff Criswell with nearly three-quarters of votes cast in her most recent election victory. She succeeded Karen Handel as representative beginning in 2019.
