South Dakota Groups Press Rhoden to Join Summer EBT Program
Thirty-four South Dakota organizations, led by Bread for the World South Dakota, sent Gov. Larry Rhoden a letter asking him to opt into the federally funded Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program for 2027. The program provides $120 per eligible child in grocery benefits over summer months to families enrolled in SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, free or reduced-price lunch, or similar programs; South Dakota would qualify for $6.8 million covering 57,000 kids. The governor's deputy secretary of education says the administration is reconsidering after years of declining to participate, citing an estimated $500,000 to $700,000 setup cost plus IT and staffing needs, though the federal government covers half of ongoing administrative costs. South Dakota must decide by January 1 to participate in summer 2027; it is one of 11 states, all with Republican governors, not currently offering the program.