Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)

OTDA Home Programs & Services Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Appeals

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to many commonly asked questions about the Summer EBT program can be found in this section. Click on each of the questions below to learn more.

Eligibility

What is the period of eligibility for Summer EBT in 2025?

A child can establish eligibility for Summer 2025 benefits anytime from July 1, 2024, to September 4, 2025.

What age children are eligible for Summer EBT?

The Summer EBT Eligibility Flow Chart can help you determine if your child is automatically eligible (enrolled) or if you might need to apply.

To summarize the chart:

  • If a child is age 6-16 AND participates in SNAP, Temporary (cash) Assistance, or Medicaid during the period of eligibility, they will be automatically enrolled in Summer EBT.
  • If a child of any age attends an NSLP school AND they are directly certified for free/reduced-price lunch (FRPL) by their school, they are automatically enrolled in Summer EBT.
  • If a child attends an NSLP school but is not directly certified for FRPL or any of the listed assistance programs, AND their household meets the income guidelines, regardless of their age, they may qualify for Summer EBT through an application.

Age limits are defined as follows: Those born between July 2, 2007, and September 4, 2019, are age-eligible for Summer 2025.

Examples:

  • Margo is 4 years old and enrolled in her local preschool that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Margo is also part of a household that receives SNAP benefits. Margo is automatically enrolled in Summer EBT.
    • Note that if Margo's household received TANF or Medicaid, she would also be automatically enrolled in Summer EBT and would not need to apply.
  • Aiden is a 17-year-old graduating senior enrolled in a charter school that participates in the NSLP. Aiden lives with his foster parents and is reported as eligible for FRPL. Aiden is automatically enrolled in Summer EBT and does not need to apply.
  • Jaelyn is 6 years old and enrolled in a private school that does not participate in the NSLP. Jaelyn has Medicaid and qualifies due to income eligibility. Jaelyn is automatically enrolled in Summer EBT and does not need to apply.
  • Emily is 10 years old and enrolled in a public Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school where all students receive free breakfast and lunch. Emily's school participates in the National School Lunch Program, but she is not directly certified for free/reduced-price meals. Emily's parent/guardian must apply for her to receive a Summer EBT benefit.
If my child attends a school that does NOT participate in the National School Lunch Program, can they still receive Summer EBT?

Only children who receive SNAP, TA, or Medicaid and are between the ages of 6 and 16 at any time during the period of eligibility (7/1/2024-9/4/2025) are eligible for Summer EBT benefits if they attend a non-NSLP school. These children will be automatically enrolled and do not have to apply.

Children who attend non-NSLP participating schools cannot apply for Summer EBT.

Answer the questions in the Summer EBT Eligibility Flow Chart to see if your child is automatically eligible (enrolled) or if you might need to apply.

If my child attends a private school or charter school, are they eligible for Summer EBT?

Students who attend charter schools, private schools, or other schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program are automatically enrolled if they meet additional criteria:

  • The child (age 6-16) receives SNAP, Temporary (cash) Assistance, or Medicaid
  • The child is directly certified for free/reduced-price meals by completing a free/reduced-price meal application or an approved family income form at any point in the 2024-25 school year.
  • Approved for free meals because they are considered by their school to be experiencing homelessness, a migrant student, in foster care, or an eligible Head Start program

If the school does NOT participate in the National School Lunch Program, the child will only be eligible if they are age 6-16 and receive SNAP, Temporary (cash) Assistance, or Medicaid at any point during the period of eligibility (7/1/2024-9/4/2025).

If the child's school participates in NSLP but the child does not meet any of the above criteria, they can still apply for Summer EBT benefits if the household meets the Income Guidelines for 2024-25 Summer EBT.

Do children who attend preschool qualify?

If a child attends a preschool participating in the National School Lunch Program and is directly certified for free/reduced-price meals, they will receive Summer EBT benefits automatically. If the child has not been directly certified for free meals by their school, they may apply as long as they meet the eligibility criteria for the application.

Many Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 programs are located within a school building but may be operated by another facility. If you are unsure if your preschool is an NSLP participant, please check with the school program director.

My child is homeschooled. Are they eligible for Summer EBT?

Children who are homeschooled are only eligible if they are between the ages of 6 and 16 during the period of eligibility (7/1/2024-9/4/2025) AND participated in SNAP, Temporary (cash) Assistance, or Medicaid. These children are automatically enrolled in Summer EBT and do not need to apply.

If the homeschooled child does not meet the above criteria, they are not eligible for Summer EBT.

Are children who are not yet enrolled in school eligible for Summer EBT?

A child who was not yet enrolled in school during the 2024-25 school year may be eligible if:

  • They were at least age 6 (born on or BEFORE September 4, 2019); and
  • Their family is receiving SNAP, TA, or Medicaid during the period of eligibility (7/1/2024-9/4/2025).
Will my child get Summer EBT if they get free meals at school?
Not necessarily. If your child attends a school where everyone receives free meals without having to fill out an application, and no one in your household receives SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, and your child is not considered homeless, migrant, runaway, in foster care, or an eligible Head Start program then you will likely need to apply to receive Summer EBT.
What is the difference between CEP and NSLP schools?

The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) meal service option that allows schools in high-poverty areas to offer meals at no cost to ALL enrolled students without collecting household applications.

Therefore, students who attend a CEP school may be eligible for Summer EBT if they:

  • Participate in SNAP, TA, or Medicaid. OR
  • They were directly certified by their school to be eligible for free/reduced-price lunch. OR
  • Their household income is within the limits for eligibility: 185% federal poverty level
Are children in immigrant households eligible for Summer EBT?

Receiving Summer EBT will not affect children's or families' immigration status, nor is it a condition of eligibility.

Applications

How do I know if I have to apply?

Answer the questions in the Summer EBT Eligibility Flow Chart to see if your child is automatically eligible or if you might need to apply.

You can and should apply if the child meets all the following criteria:

  • Attends a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participating school
  • Does NOT participate in SNAP, TA, or Medicaid
  • Is NOT directly certified for free/reduced-price meals by their school
  • Household income is within the limits for eligibility (185% federal poverty level)

Families should submit only one application per household and include all children on that one application.

What information do I need to provide to apply?

Application checklist:

The information you need to complete an application includes:

  • A NY.gov ID account is required to complete the application. If you do not have a NY.gov ID, you need to create a NY.gov ID before you apply.
    • You will need to create a user ID and password.
      • For both of these, you should choose something easy for you to remember but hard for other people to guess.
  • Name of each student applying for Summer EBT benefits,
    • their date of birth, AND
    • the name of the school they attend.
  • Student Identification System (NYSSIS) ID number and/or local student ID number (these numbers are optional but helpful to include).
  • Information about whether the student participates in SNAP, Temporary (cash) Assistance, Medicaid, or other programs (if your student participated in any of these programs in the 2024-25 school year, you may not need to apply).
  • Names of all other people (other than the students applying for benefits) in the household.
  • Income information for each person in the household,
    • including amount AND
    • how often each person receives income.
  • Current address, phone number, and email address.
  • Agree that all information is accurate, electronically sign the application, and submit it.

You will not need to provide any documentation to apply. Some families may be asked to provide proof of income later.

How do I check on the status of my application?

Once an application is submitted, OTDA will contact you by email, letting you know:

  • Your application has been received.
  • When your child's application has been processed, and if the application is approved or denied.
  • All children determined eligible through an application who did not receive a 2024 Summer EBT benefit will receive a new Summer EBT food benefit card in the mail for 2025.
If my student didn't receive Summer EBT benefits, but I think they should have, what should I do?

The Summer EBT program distributes all benefits based on the data received from schools and districts. Households should first try to resolve their issue by calling the Summer EBT Helpline at 1-833-452-0096. If they cannot resolve the issue or answer the question, you have the right to appeal the decision. Please visit the “How to Appeal” section of our website for more information.

What is the application deadline for Summer 2025?

Summer EBT 2025 applications must be submitted or postmarked by September 4, 2025. If an application is received or postmarked after September 4, 2025, it will be considered for the following year, the Summer 2026 benefit.

Benefits

Do Summer EBT food benefits expire?

Yes. Summer EBT food benefits will remain on your Summer EBT Food Benefit card for 122 days from the date they were issued. After that date, ALL unused benefits will expire and be removed from the card. Expired benefits cannot be restored. You can check your Summer EBT food benefit balance online at ebtEDGE or by calling 1-888-328-6399.

When will benefits be available to use?

Benefits will be issued beginning June 16, 2025, and throughout the summer.

How do I use a Summer EBT Food Benefit card?

A Summer EBT Food Benefit card looks and is used like a SNAP EBT card to buy food at SNAP-authorized food stores, farmers' markets, and other retailers. For more information on how to use an EBT card, visit the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card webpage.

To find authorized retail food stores near you, visit the USDA's Where can I use SNAP EBT? webpage.

You can also use your Summer EBT benefits at:

What can I purchase with my child's Summer EBT food benefits?

Use your Summer EBT food benefits just like SNAP benefits to purchase the kinds of SNAP-eligible food items at authorized retail food stores. A detailed list of food items that may be purchased with Summer EBT food benefits can be found at the USDA's What Can SNAP Buy? webpage..

  • Summer EBT cards look and work like a debit card. The benefits on your card must be used to shop for food.
What if my benefits are skimmed or stolen?

Summer EBT food benefits cannot be replaced if stolen.
Protect your benefits by:

Will Summer EBT affect my existing benefits?

No. Summer EBT will not affect your SNAP, TANF, WIC, Medicaid, or other benefits.

Are there other food benefits or programs that can help my family?

Yes. If your family does not already receive SNAP, you can see if you may be eligible and apply online at myBenefits.ny.gov.

Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals and children under age 5 receiving SNAP may automatically qualify for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Visit Department of Health's WIC Program webpage and click on the Wanda icon to learn more and connect with a WIC agency near you.

Coupons to purchase more fruits and vegetables with your SNAP benefits are available throughout the state. Learn more and see if your local farmers' market or food store participates by visiting FreshConnect, Double Up Food Bucks, and NYC Health Bucks.

If you need more help with food, visit Feeding New York State or The Food Pantries Food Connect Map webpages to locate food pantries in your area.

Children 18 years of age and younger in your household can also receive free meals during the summer at a summer meal site. You can call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE to find the location closest to you.

New York State Residents can call 211, and New York City residents can call 311 for information on more food programs near you.

Other resources in addition to food support:

How will homeless children receive their benefits?

If the child is determined eligible, the Summer EBT card will be issued to the address the school reported for the student or the most recent address reported through Medicaid.

How will benefits be issued for students who live in more than one household?

The student's Summer EBT card will be issued to the address of the primary guardian as reported through Medicaid or the school's records.

How do I create an ebtEDGE account?
  • Visit www.ebtEDGE.com
  • Follow the link to “Cardholder Portal”
  • Click “Register Here” to create a user profile
  • You can also download the ebtEDGE mobile app (available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store).
  • An ebtEDGE account can have multiple cards under a single account, so all children in the household's Summer EBT cards and the family SNAP card benefits can be monitored with ease in a single application.
What if I forgot my PIN?

Call 1-888-328-6399 and follow the automated prompts to change your PIN.

What should I do if my address has changed?

You can update your address by calling the Summer EBT Hotline at 1-833-452-0096. You should also update your address with your child's school and Department of Social Services (DSS) or NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA).

Why $120 per child?

The federal government approved a fixed amount of funding for the national Summer EBT program. This amounted to a nationwide even distribution of $40/month for the 3 summer months, equaling $120 per eligible child. These benefits are intended for use during the summer and, therefore, expire 122 days (about 4 months) after they are issued. All unused benefits are removed from the card after this time. Expired benefits cannot be restored. Be sure to use your benefits soon after you receive them.

What if my child received Summer EBT food benefits but we don't need them?

If you do not want to use these benefits to buy food, do not use the card and let the benefits automatically expire in 122 days. You can also destroy the card by cutting through the magnetic strip and putting it in the garbage (you will need to request a replacement card if you want to access any future benefits). You can also call the Summer EBT helpline at 1-833-452-0096 and request to be removed (opt-out) from the program.

In most communities, several nonprofit organizations accept donations—including donations of non-perishable food items — to help those in your community who do not have enough food. For more information, please visit Feeding New York State or The Food Pantries Food Connect Map webpages to locate food pantries in your area.

Back to Top

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

Home

Programs

Resources

Select a Language