Households are automatically eligible for Summer EBT food benefits if during the 2023-24 school year, a child that was in Grades K-12:

• Receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and/or Temporary Assistance (cash) benefits, or be directly certified for free meals through Medicaid, OR
• Is eligible for free/reduced price school meals by their school

Children not eligible through the programs will have to apply for Summer EBT. To be eligible to apply:

• A child must attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), AND
• The household's income must be at or below the income limits for eligibility for free/reduced price school meals.

Learn more about Income Eligibility.

The application period for 2024 Summer EBT benefits ended on September 3, 2024. Applications submitted after this date will be considered for 2025 Summer EBT Benefits.

Only one application is needed for all students within a household.

After you submit your application, OTDA will be contact you by email. OTDA will let you know:

• Your application has been received
• When your application was processed
• If your application was approved or denied
• All eligible children will receive a Summer EBT card in the mail

Apply for Summer EBT.

Get a paper application for Summer EBT.

Families with eligible children will receive $120 in Summer EBT food benefits (per child) in 2024. These benefits can be used like SNAP benefits to buy food at:

• Grocery stores
• Farmers market
• Other SNAP-authorized retailers

Summer EBT food benefits are expected to be issued in mid July 2024 and will continue through October 2024.

Benefits will be received at different times:

• K-12 children who attend public school and are automatically eligible will receive their benefits beginning mid-July. This will continue over 4 to 6 weeks.
• K-12 children who attend non-public school (private, religious, or independent schools) and are automatically eligible are expected to receive their benefits in August. This will continue over 4 to 6 weeks.
• Children who are eligible through application could receive benefits as early as August or as late as October 2024.
• Children who became newly eligible for Summer EBT because they were enrolled in Medicaid, or SNAP, or certified for free meals by their school at the end of the school year, are expected to receive benefits in October 2024.

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) will mail letters to eligible households before benefits are issued. Letters will be sent throughout the summer.

OTDA may also send text messages from 696832 (NY-OTDA) letting you know when your child's benefits are issued. 

Once benefits are issued, families will have 122 days from the date they are issued to use the benefits. 

All unused benefits expire after 122 days.

Every child will have their own EBT card to access Summer EBT Benefits. The card that is used to access Summer EBT food benefits will become your child's permanent Summer EBT card for each year they are eligible. 

Children who used P-EBT food benefits in the past will receive their Summer EBT food benefits on the same card. 

Children who receive P-EBT food benefits on their household's SNAP or Temporary Assistance (cash) EBT card will be mailed a new Summer EBT card.

All other children will also be mailed a new Summer EBT card.

Families that are automatically eligible for Summer EBT will be sent a letter stating that their child will receive benefits. The letter will include whether they can use the existing P-EBT card or be mailed a new Summer EBT card.

Cardholders can use the ebtEDGE online portal to manage their EBT card.

Visit the ebtEDGE cardholder portal.

The ebtEdge mobile app can be downloaded for free on your mobile device through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Replace a Summer EBT Card

You should only request a replacement Summer EBT card when you no longer have the EBT card that your Summer EBT food benefits were issued to.

Ordering a replacement card will not result in receiving your child's Summer EBT food benefits faster. In some cases, it may delay access to your child's benefits.

You can order a replacement Summer EBT card by contacting the EBT customer service call center.

If you need further assistance, you can get more information from Summer EBT Food Benefit Helpline.