Eligible New York families can receive up to $120 per child for groceries, household essentials – check eligibility here
Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) dollars are now being distributed to eligible families across New York State, helping them pay for groceries during the summer months. As part of the program, eligible New York families will receive a one-time installment of $120 per child on their Summer EBT cards, which can be used to pay for groceries. The federal program, now in its third year, will provide approximately $240 million in grocery benefits to 2 million children in every corner of the state.
New York’s rollout of Summer EBT benefits comes as millions of children and families continue to face hunger. More than 100,000 New Yorkers have lost federal food assistance benefits following significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), one of the nation’s most effective tools for fighting hunger. A recent No Kid Hungry poll found three-quarter of New York families have been forced to choose between buying food and covering other essential costs like housing, transportation, and utilities, due to the rising cost of food.
“With food costs continuing to strain household budgets, summer can be one of the hardest times of year for families facing hunger,” said Rachel Sabella, Director of No Kid Hungry New York. “That is why programs like Summer EBT, which helps families put healthy food on the table when they need it most, play such a vital role in our state. Last year, this program delivered millions of dollars in food assistance to New Yorkers, and now benefits are once again reaching eligible families across the state. I encourage every family to check their eligibility and make sure they receive this critical support.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for Summer EBT?
- For a child to receive Summer EBT benefits automatically, they must be age 6-16, receive SNAP, Temporary Assistance benefits, be directly certified for free meals through Medicaid, or determined eligible for free/reduced price school meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) by their school.
- Children that attend schools participating in NSLP AND live in households at or below the limits for eligibility for free/reduced price school meals (185% federal poverty level), must apply online by September 8, 2026. Families who have also recently lost access to SNAP or Medicaid should still apply to see if they are eligible.
- New Yorkers looking to see if they qualify can head to New York State’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance for the most up-to-date information.
When do eligible New Yorkers receive Summer EBT benefits?
- Benefit issuance began on June 16, 2026 and will continue to be issued through the end of the year.
When do Summer EBT Benefits expire?
- Summer EBT benefits ONLY last for 122 days from date of issuance. All unused funds are expired and removed from the EBT card.
What happens if my Summer EBT benefits are stolen?
- Summer EBT benefits cannot be replaced if they are stolen. To protect your benefits, change your PIN and freeze your card when not in use.
Where can I learn more about Summer EBT?
- To learn more, visit otda.ny.gov/programs/summer-ebt or call the Summer EBT Helpline at 1-833-452-0096.
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About No Kid Hungry
No child should go hungry in America. But millions of kids could face hunger this year. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty. Join us at NoKidHungry.org.
