How does Summer EBT work?

Starting June 16 , most eligible students will get benefits deposited on their own Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Don’t see your deposit? Don’t worry — benefits will continue going out through the end of the year. Tips for using your Summer EBT benefits Keep your child’s Summer 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) from the deposit date

Summer EBT – ACCESS NYC

Q: Am I eligible for Summer EBT?

Most eligible kids between 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 $2,461 2 $3,337 3 $4,212 4 $5,088 5 $5,964 6 $6,839 7 $7,715 8 $8,591 Each additional person +$876

How it works

Eligible families get a one-time benefit of $120 per school-age child for groceries when school’s out.

Starting June 16, most eligible students will get benefits deposited on their own Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.

Don’t see your deposit? Don’t worry — benefits will continue going out through the end of the year.

Tips for using your Summer EBT benefits

Keep your child’s Summer 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) from the deposit date

Eligibility requirements

Most eligible kids between 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	$2,461
2	$3,337
3	$4,212
4	$5,088
5	$5,964
6	$6,839
7	$7,715
8	$8,591
Each additional person	+$876

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 by June 16, apply online before September 8, 2026.

Apply online

Get help

Call the Summer EBT helpline 833-452-0096 Starting June 16, 2026, helpline hours are:

Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Get help with eligibility questions, address updates, card activation, and general information.

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Last Updated July 28, 2026

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Extra grocery money for families over summer break

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

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Eligibility requirements

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