While some Republican-led states have opted out of the federal initiative, West Virginia has launched the 2025 Summer EBT program to help low-income families pay for food during the summer months when children are home from school.

This year, 11 states decided not to offer the federal program, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. All 11 non-participating states are led by Republican governors:

Alaska

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Indiana

Iowa

Mississippi

South Carolina

Texas

Tennessee

Wyoming

A 12th Republican-led state, Oklahoma, will offer the program only to tribal nations.

“Recognizing the importance of ensuring children have access to nutritious meals year-round, [West Virginia] opted to participate in this federally funded initiative t

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