BELLINGHAM, Wash. – More families in Whatcom County will soon get some help to pay for their children’s groceries while they are home for the summer.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently approved a fourth and final round of assistance for school-aged children and those under age six.

Families will start to receive the Pandemic EBT benefits beginning on Friday, June 30th, and through the end of the summer.

Qualifying children under age six may receive $43.88 for each month their household received Basic Food assistance from September 2022 through August 2023.

Qualifying school-aged children will receive a one-time sum of $120 to cover the summer.

This final round comes after three previous periods of pandemic-related food benefits over the past three years.