During the summer of 2024, the State of New York will implement Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT).
Summer EBT is a new federal program to help low-income households purchase food for their students over the summer when school is out of session and access to free or reduced-price school meals is not available.
The Summer EBT benefit of $120 per eligible child will be issued on an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. Families can use their Summer EBT food benefits to buy food at authorized grocery stores, farmers markets, and anywhere else SNAP is accepted.
Waterville families will automatically be enrolled for the Summer EBT program if they received SNAP, Temporary Assistance or submitted an income form to the school that met income requirements for free or reduced priced meals. Certain Medicaid-eligible children will also be automatically enrolled.
Automatically Eligible:
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 during the 2023-24 school year.
Must Apply:
The child is not automatically eligible, AND
The child attends a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program, AND
The household meets the income requirements for free/reduced-price school meals.
An online application will be available starting July 1: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/summer-ebt/#apply
Families must apply for Summer EBT by September 3, 2024, for Summer 2024 Benefits.
The state website will also offer more information on the program. Families should seek answers to questions using the website before calling the helpline at 1-833-452-0096. The helpline will be able to answer questions about a specific child’s eligibility beginning in early July.
Unused Summer EBT benefits expire and are removed from the EBT card in 122 days from the date they are issued. All unused benefits will expire after 122 days. Families should use their benefits soon after they are received.