$250 million available in food assistance for over 2 million children across NYS this summer

$120 per child to eligible families through 2025 summer EBT program

√ Summer EBT helps low-income families afford healthy, nutritious meals for school-aged children when schools are on summer break

Submitted by the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul 

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced New York has begun issuing more than $250 million in food assistance to an estimated 2.2 million low-income children as part of the 2025 summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program. The state is sending $120 per child to eligible families to help pay for food during the summer, when students lose access to free school meals.

“As New York’s first ‘Mom Governor,’ I’m committed to doing everything in my power to help kids and families across the state,” Hochul said. “At a time when federally funded nutrition programs are under attack in Washington, summer EBT will help thousands of low-income families with school-aged children across our state afford to buy healthy food over the summer when many children lose access to free school meals.”

Benefits will continue to be sent to families through the summer and into the fall. New Yorkers are encouraged to learn more about eligibility and apply, if necessary, before the Sept. 4 deadline. Most households will be paid based on available information and do not need to apply.

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “By providing extra food assistance to low-income families during the summer months – when many school-aged children lose access to free or reduced-price school meals, summer EBT is a very effective tool in helping us address food insecurity among New York’s most vulnerable children. We look forward to this summer’s rollout of the program, which, in its first year, provided $250 million in vital food assistance to more than 2 million school-aged children to help make sure they have access to healthy food during the summer. We are grateful to Gov. Hochul for her unwavering commitment to reducing hunger and food insecurity in New York state and for prioritizing programs, like summer EBT, that support the well-being of children and families in communities throughout our state.”

In 2024, the first year of the program, summer EBT provided $254 million in food assistance to more than 2.1 million low-income, school-aged children in New York. Administered by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, summer EBT is a federally funded program aimed at reducing hunger and food insecurity among children who are unable to access free and reduced-price school meals during the summertime when school is out. Eligible families with school-age children will receive a one-time payment of $120 per child as part of this summer’s program.

Research has shown that providing families with summer food benefits reduces childhood hunger and promotes better nutrition. A demonstration project tested by the USDA during the pandemic found that summer EBT decreased the number of kids with very low food security by one-third.

No Kid Hungry New York Director Rachel Sabella said, “Summer EBT is a transformative program for hundreds of thousands of families across New York state. By providing $120 in grocery benefits for each eligible child, it puts vital resources directly into the hands of families, helping them afford nutritious food for their children during the summer months. At the same time, it supports local economies by generating increased business for thousands of bodegas, supermarkets, and farmers statewide. I commend Gov. Hochul and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance for their swift action in delivering these benefits, and I urge all potentially eligible New Yorkers to visit OTDA’s website to check their status. These funds are meant for you – don’t miss out.”

Eligible children are receiving summer EBT food benefits on an EBT card that their families can use just like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Summer EBT food benefits can be used to buy food like fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains, and dairy at authorized retail food stores, farmers markets, and anywhere else SNAP is accepted.

The first batch of summer EBT benefits will be issued to over 1 million children on June 18, and the next two batches will be issued a few weeks later to almost 500,000 additional children. Benefits will continue to be sent throughout the summer.

All eligible households will be sent a letter before they receive their benefits. Eligible households who used their summer EBT card in 2024 will receive their benefits on the same card as last year.

Most children who are eligible – including recipients of SNAP, public assistance or Medicaid – will automatically receive summer EBT and do not need to apply.

Other eligible families may need to apply to receive benefits for their children. To be eligible, a child must attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program and meet the income requirements for free/reduced-price school meals.

Summer EBT food benefits are available on summer EBT food benefits cards for 122 days after the date they were issued. All unused benefits are removed from the card after this time. Recipients should use their benefits soon after they receive them.

To learn more about summer EBT benefits and eligibility or to apply, visit ny.gov/SummerEBT. Applications for summer 2025 benefits must be submitted by Sept. 4.