Learn how New York’s Summer EBT program can help feed kids this summer!

The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program will help families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer. Families will get $120 in food benefits for each eligible child.

Eligible children will receive Summer EBT food benefits on an EBT card. Families can use their Summer EBT 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. Apply online by September 8, 2026, for 2026 benefits.

Automatically Enrolled:

• The child is age 6-16 and received SNAP, Temporary Assistance, or Medicaid at any time in the period of eligibility.

OR

• The child has been directly certified by their school for free/reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program during the 2025-26 school year.
• Automatically enrolled children DO NOT need to apply.

Must Apply:

• The child is not automatically enrolled,

AND

• The household meets the income requirements for free/reduced-price school meals,

AND

• The child attends a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program,
• The online application is available at SummerEBT.ny.gov

Unused Summer EBT benefits expire and are removed from the EBT card 122 days from the date they are issued. Families should use their benefits soon after they are received.

The period of eligibility is July 1, 2025, to September 8, 2026. 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.

Click here for more information on NYS OTDA Summer EBT

Click here for Summer EBT Frequently Asked Questions