Missouri Didn't Start Distributing Summer Food Aid to Needy Kids Until the Last Day of Summer

The state of Missouri has pledged to finish distributing summer food aid to needy families after kids did not receive the aid until the last day of summer, according to a report.

The benefits were a part of a federal program called Summer Electronic Benefits, or SUN Bucks. Each state administered their own program, where each eligible child was given a one-time card loaded with $120, which could be used like a debit card to buy groceries, as reported by the Missouri Independent.

The aid, which was intended to help feed vulnerable families over summer break, was not distributed for the first time until Sept. 19.

Technical issues were said to be the cause of the delay, which prolonged federal approval and prevented the program from starting sooner, state officials told the Missouri Independent.

"[The Family Support Division] remains committed to disbursing benefits as swiftly and accurately as possible with the goal of completing all disbursements by the end of the year," Department of Social Services spokesperson Chelsea Blair told the outlet.

So far, 9,500 of the 490,000 eligible kids have been issued their benefits, which are estimated to amount to about $58.8 million.

This is not the first time the state has been late sharing benefits to families. In 2022, Missouri emergency benefits tied to the COVID-19 pandemic were not distributed to families until the following summer.