How does Summer EBT work?

You’ll receive benefits on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card starting in June . Your exact deposit date depends on whether you qualify automatically or through the application. Tips for using your Summer EBT benefits Keep your child’s EBT card — benefits deposit to the same card each year they’re eligible Lost your card? Call the New York State EBT helpline at 888-328-6399 or use the ebtEDGE website or app to request a replacement Use Summer EBT benefits anywhere SNAP EBT is accepted, including grocery stores and farmers markets Benefits expire after 122 days (around four months)

Summer EBT – ACCESS NYC

Q: Am I eligible for Summer EBT?

Most eligible kids ages 6 to 16 are approved automatically. You do not need to apply if your child is enrolled in: SNAP (food stamps) Cash assistance Medicaid Free or reduced-price school meals If you qualify automatically, you’ll get a letter in the mail. Not automatically approved? You can apply if both of the following are true: Your child attends a school in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Your household income is at or below the monthly limits Household size Maximum monthly income for 2026 1 $2,413 2 $3,261 3 $4,109 4 $4,957 5 $5,805 6 $6,653 7 $7,501 8 $8,349 Each additional person +$848

How it works

Eligible families with school-age children (ages 6 to 16) get $120 per child for groceries when school’s out.

You’ll receive benefits on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card starting in June. Your exact deposit date depends on whether you qualify automatically or through the application.

Tips for using your Summer EBT benefits

Keep your child’s EBT card — benefits deposit to the same card each year they’re eligible
Lost your card? Call the New York State EBT helpline at 888-328-6399 or use the ebtEDGE website or app to request a replacement
Use Summer EBT benefits anywhere SNAP EBT is accepted, including grocery stores and farmers markets
Benefits expire after 122 days (around four months)

Eligibility requirements

Most eligible kids ages 6 to 16 are approved automatically. You do not need to apply if your child is enrolled in:

SNAP (food stamps)
Cash assistance
Medicaid
Free or reduced-price school meals

If you qualify automatically, you’ll get a letter in the mail.

Not automatically approved? You can apply if both of the following are true:

Your child attends a school in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Your household income is at or below the monthly limits

Household size	Maximum monthly income for 2026
1	$2,413
2	$3,261
3	$4,109
4	$4,957
5	$5,805
6	$6,653
7	$7,501
8	$8,349
Each additional person	+$848

Immigration status requirements

Summer EBT does not ask about immigration status.

How to apply

Most eligible households do not need to apply. If you think you qualify and have not received a notice in the mail, apply online before September 8, 2026.

Note: The 2026 Summer EBT application has not opened yet.

Apply online

Get help

Call the Summer EBT helpline

833-452-0096

Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Get help with eligibility questions, address updates, card activation, and general information.

Come back to it later.
We can send you a link to this page to help you get back to it when you’re ready.

Last Updated May 20, 2026

Get help now

Extra grocery money for families over summer break

Summer EBT | NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)

How it works

More ways to get help with this program

Eligibility requirements

Immigration status requirements

How to apply

Get help