Like last year, New York State (NYS) is implementing Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), a food benefit program that helps low-income families with school-age children purchase groceries during the summer when children may not have access to free/reduced school meals. Children are eligible if they participate in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, or have been reported as eligible for free/reduced price meals by their school. The Summer EBT benefit of $120 per eligible child is provided on a Summer EBT card and will be issued only once; benefits expire and are removed from the EBT card 122 days after they are issued.
Benefits can be used to purchase eligible food items and can be used anywhere SNAP/EBT benefits are accepted, including participating grocery stores, farmers' markets, and other retailers. Eligible families will receive an eligibility letter in the mail from NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), who is administering the program. Benefits are expected to be issued beginning the week of June 16.
Read this informational letter (and available translations).
Please note that this is not an NYCPS program.
For questions, contact the Customer Service Contact Information or OTDA.NY.gov/SummerEBT and then call the Summer EBT Helpline (1-833-452-0096) if further assistance is needed.