Families in Massachusetts struggling to make ends meet will have a bit less to worry about this summer when school lets out, as Gov. Maura Healey announced her administration will provide food assistance payments to families who need it.

The Healey administration, according to an announcement made Tuesday, has received the federal government’s support to provide a cash benefit to low-income families with school-aged children, bridging the gap between the end of one school year and the next.

“In Massachusetts, we are not leaving federal dollars on the table that could support children and families’ food security. In partnership with our State Legislature, we made universal free school meals permanent. And with this new program, we are working to ensure children and families have access to healthy food all year long,” Healey said with the announcement.

The program, called Summer EBT, will use $70 million in federal funds to make qualifying families eligible to apply for a one-time cash payment of $120. That works out to $40 per month to help cover the cost of food through July, August, and September.

According to Department of Transitional Assistance Commissioner Jeff McCue, the summer can be a trying time for some families, as many of the state’s 600,000 students rely on school provided meals to supplement their nutrition.

“When school is out for summer break, hundreds of thousands of students across Massachusetts lose access to regular breakfast and lunch programs, putting them at a higher risk of food insecurity. Summer EBT will serve as a vital resource for our youngest residents, supplying them with the nutrition they need to learn and grow,” McCue said.

The new program, according to the Healey administration, will run concurrently with the state’s Summer Eats program, which provides free meals to all state residents under the age of 19, and comes following the state’s passage of a universal free school meals program.

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“I want to thank the Biden-Harris Administration and Congress for permanently establishing this child nutrition program. Massachusetts is proud to be utilizing all tools available so kids can focus on learning and play, not where their next meal is coming from,” Healey said.

Massachusetts families who are already enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or the state’s Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children program will automatically receive the payments and don’t need to take any additional steps.

Families who are not automatically enrolled through participation in another assistance program can apply for the Summer EBT program by visiting dtaconnect.eohhs.mass.gov between June 15 and Sept. 7.