Households are automatically enrolled for 2025 Summer EBT food benefits if:

• A child is between the ages of 6 and 16 and receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance (cash) benefits, or Medicaid during the period of eligibility (July 1, 2024 - September 4, 2025), OR
• A child is certified for free/reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program 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 2025 Summer EBT benefits will be open until September 4, 2025.

Most households do not need to apply for Summer EBT food benefits because the child is already enrolled and will receive benefits automatically. A letter will be mailed to all children who are automatically enrolled, letting them know that they will receive benefits for this summer.

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

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 2025. These benefits can be used like SNAP benefits to buy food at:

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

Summer EBT food benefits will be issued starting in June 2025.

Benefits will be received at different times depending on whether they are automatically enrolled or eligible through a Summer EBT application.

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.

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. 

If a household used any of their 2024 Summer EBT benefit, their 2025 benefit will be loaded onto their existing card, and they will NOT be mailed a new card.

If a household requested a replacement card for 2024 Summer EBT, their 2025 benefit will be loaded onto their existing card, and they will NOT be mailed a new card.

Children who were eligible for Summer EBT benefits in 2024 but did not use their benefit and children who are new to the program will receive a new Summer EBT benefit card in the mail for 2025.

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.