Beginning this year, New York State will launch Summer EBT, a new program that provides low-income families with food benefits to help cover the cost of groceries when school is out of session. Families with eligible school-aged children will receive $120 in Summer EBT food benefits (per eligible child) in 2024. Most eligible children will receive Summer EBT food benefits automatically; however, some families may need to apply.
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) will begin to issue Summer EBT food benefits later this summer, and eligible children will receive benefits at different times throughout the summer, depending on whether they attend public or private school, and whether they receive benefits automatically or if they are determined eligible through an application, as outlined below. Visit OTDA.ny.gov/SummerEBT for updated benefit issuance schedules.
CLICK HERE for a printable overview.
Eligibility:
To be automatically eligible for Summer EBT food benefits:
- 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 (NSLP) during the 2023-24 school year
Children who meet the above criteria will receive Summer EBT benefits automatically and DO NOT need to apply. Most eligible children will receive their benefits this way. These households will receive a letter from OTDA this summer, before their Summer EBT benefits are issued, letting them know that their child is eligible.
If a household’s child is not automatically eligible, you must apply to receive Summer EBT benefits. To be eligible with an application:
- The household meets the income requirements for free/reduced-price school meals (185% of the Federal Poverty Level), AND
- The child attends a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program
How To Apply:
The application period for the 2024 Summer EBT will open in July 2024. If your household must apply to be considered for benefits, an online application will be available via the Summer EBT website in English and Spanish. The online application is the fastest and easiest way to apply.
Paper-based applications will also be available for download via the OTDA site for those households who need an application in a language other than English or Spanish.
Households only need to submit one application, even if they have multiple eligible children.
After applying, households with children that meet the above criteria will receive a letter from OTDA acknowledging receipt of the application, followed by a notice of approval or denial once the application is processed.
Applications must be submitted by September 3, 2024, to be considered for the 2024 Summer EBT benefit.
How Will Benefits Be Issued?
Households with eligible children who received and utilized P-EBT benefits on a dedicated P-EBT card will have Summer EBT benefits issued to the existing P-EBT card.
Households in receipt of SNAP and/or Temporary (cash) Assistance who previously received P-EBT benefits directly on their SNAP/TA EBT cards will now have a new Summer EBT card mailed to them to access the Summer EBT benefit. Summer EBT benefits will no longer be available via the household’s existing SNAP/TA EBT card.
All other newly eligible households will have a Summer EBT card mailed to them.
The Summer EBT cards issued should follow eligible children, if an eligible child leaves a household and now resides elsewhere, the Summer EBT card should go with them.
Once benefits are issued, families will have 122 days from the date they are issued to use the benefits. All unused benefits will expire after 122 days.
Need Help?
Visit the OTDA Summer EBT website for information on eligibility, Summer EBT card replacement/activation, and when benefits will be issued, as well as a detailed FAQ, application link and instructions, information for schools, and outreach materials. Check back frequently for updates.
Call the Summer EBT Helpline (1-833-452-0096) for general questions, case questions (beginning July 1, 2024), and to opt-out of the Summer EBT benefit for 2024. The Helpline can also answer questions about applications and to change the address on file for the Summer EBT card issuance.