The new Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program will help low-income families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer. Each eligible child will get $120 in food benefits.
Eligible children will receive Summer EBT food benefits on an EBT card. Families can use their Summer EBT food benefits to buy food like fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains, and dairy at authorized retail food stores, farmers markets, and anywhere else SNAP is accepted.
Most children will be automatically eligible for Summer EBT and do not need to do anything to enroll. However, some children may need to apply. An online application will be available in July.
Automatically Eligible:
- The child received SNAP, Temporary Assistance, or Medicaid at any time in the 2023-24 school year, OR
- The child has been determined eligible by their school for free/reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program during the 2023-24 school year.
Must Apply:
- The child is not automatically eligible, AND
- The child attends a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program, AND
- The household meets the income requirements for free/reduced-price school meals.
Unused Summer EBT benefits expire and are removed from the EBT card in 122 days from the date they are issued. All unused benefits will expire after 122 days. Families should use their benefits soon after they are received.
To learn more about Summer EBT, including when and how food benefits will be issued, and how to use them, visit OTDA.ny.gov/SummerEBT.