Connecticut calls its Summer EBT program “S-EBT” — administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS). Eligible children receive a one-time $120 payment to buy groceries during the summer. Connecticut’s S-EBT has several unique features: it uses the term S-EBT rather than SUN Bucks, benefits are added to the same card every year (save your card!), and children on SNAP or HUSKY A (Medicaid) are automatically enrolled. Benefits for 2026 are expected to deposit in late June.
Connecticut S-EBT 2026 — Key Facts
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Program name | S-EBT (Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer) |
| Benefit amount | $120 per eligible child (one-time payment) |
| State agency | Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) |
| Benefits expected | Late June 2026 |
| S-EBT Customer Service | 1-844-503-6871 (M–F 8:30 AM–5:00 PM EST) |
| Lost/stolen card | 1-888-328-2666 (call immediately) |
| DSS Benefit Center | 1-855-626-6632 |
| Online portal | portal.ct.gov/dss/snap/summer-ebt—sebt |
| Benefits expire | 122 days from issue date |
| Key rule | Save your S-EBT card — benefits load to the SAME card each year |
Who Qualifies for Connecticut S-EBT
Connecticut uses a specific age window: your child must be ages 5 to 18 at any point between July 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026.
Automatically Enrolled — No Application Needed
Your child will receive S-EBT benefits automatically — no application required — if they meet the age requirement AND any of the following:
- Household receives Connecticut SNAP (food stamps) — DSS directly certifies SNAP households
- Household receives TFA (Temporary Family Assistance) — Connecticut’s TANF program
- Child is enrolled in HUSKY A — Connecticut’s income-based Medicaid program for children and families
Important HUSKY note: Not all HUSKY programs qualify for automatic enrollment. HUSKY A (income-based Medicaid for children and families at or below 201% FPL) qualifies for automatic enrollment. Other HUSKY programs — HUSKY B (CHIP), HUSKY C (long-term services), and HUSKY D (expansion Medicaid) — may not automatically qualify. Households with these programs will need to apply.
- Child applied through NSLP and was approved for free or reduced-price school meals during the 2025–2026 school year
- Child received S-EBT between July 1 and August 31, 2025 — returning recipients automatically receive 2026 benefits without reapplying
If you received S-EBT in 2025, you should receive it again automatically in 2026 on the same card, unless DSS notifies you otherwise.
Must Apply — If Not Auto-Enrolled
If your child is not automatically enrolled through the above programs, you may still apply if:
- Your child attends an NSLP or SBP participating school
- Your household income is at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level
Apply at: portal.ct.gov/dss/snap/summer-ebt—sebt/apply
Connecticut S-EBT Income Limits 2026
For families who need to apply based on income (not auto-enrolled):
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit | Annual Gross Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,248 | $26,973 |
| 2 | $3,041 | $36,482 |
| 3 | $3,834 | $46,006 |
| 4 | $4,628 | $55,530 |
| 5 | $5,421 | $65,052 |
| 6 | $6,214 | $74,574 |
| 7 | $7,008 | $84,098 |
| 8 | $7,801 | $93,608 |
| Each additional | +$794/month | +$9,524/year |
Based on 185% FPL. Confirm exact thresholds with Connecticut DSS at portal.ct.gov/dss.
Connecticut SNAP note: Connecticut’s SNAP program — called SNAP in Connecticut, not a state-branded name — offers eligibility up to 185% FPL. Connecticut does not use the higher BBCE expansion that some states use, so the SNAP and S-EBT income limits align closely. See Connecticut SNAP income limits for SNAP-specific thresholds.
How S-EBT Benefits Are Delivered in Connecticut
Connecticut has a unique multi-pathway card delivery system — which card you receive depends on what benefits you currently have:
If your child is on SNAP or TFA: Benefits are added directly to your existing SNAP/TFA EBT card. No new card will be mailed.
If your child only has Medicaid (HUSKY): A separate S-EBT card will be mailed in the head of household’s name to the address DSS has on file.
If your child is not on any DSS program: An S-EBT card will be issued in the head of household’s or the child’s name, mailed to the address on file with their school.
If your child has no mailing address: The S-EBT card will be issued to their school. The school will notify the family to pick it up.
The most important rule: SAVE YOUR CARD EVERY YEAR. Connecticut deposits S-EBT benefits onto the same card each year. Do not throw away your S-EBT card after summer — you will need it again next year.
When Do Connecticut S-EBT Benefits Arrive?
S-EBT benefits are expected to be deposited in late June 2026. If your child qualifies, you will receive an approval letter stating when benefits will be available. If you believe your child qualifies but you did not receive a letter, call S-EBT Customer Service at 1-844-503-6871 (Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–5:00 PM).
How to Apply for Connecticut S-EBT
Step 1 — Confirm Auto-Enrollment First
Check whether your child is already enrolled:
- You should have received an approval letter from DSS if your child is auto-enrolled
- If you received S-EBT in 2025, you’re likely auto-enrolled for 2026
- Call 1-844-503-6871 if you’re unsure
Step 2 — Apply Online at portal.ct.gov
If your child is not auto-enrolled, apply at portal.ct.gov/dss/snap/summer-ebt—sebt/apply. Connecticut also uses a dedicated chatbot called Laurel — available 24/7 on the DSS portal — that can guide you through the application, check benefit status, and answer questions about S-EBT.
Step 3 — What You’ll Need
- Child’s name, date of birth, and school
- Household size and monthly gross income
- SNAP, TFA, or HUSKY case number (if applicable)
- Your mailing address — confirm it’s current with DSS
Step 4 — Watch for Your Letter
Eligible children receive an approval letter from DSS stating when benefits will be available. The letter also confirms whether benefits go to your existing EBT card or a new S-EBT card.
Replacing a Lost or Stolen Connecticut S-EBT Card
Report immediately: Call 1-888-328-2666 as soon as your card is lost or stolen.
Important: Connecticut DSS cannot replace S-EBT benefits that are stolen electronically through card cloning or skimming. Benefits stolen through skimming are not recoverable. Protect your card — change your PIN regularly and use the EBT card freeze feature through the MyDSS portal to lock your card between uses.
Household misfortune replacement: If benefits are lost due to a fire, flood, or disaster, contact the DSS Benefit Center at 1-855-626-6632 or visit a local DSS Resource Center to report the misfortune.
Impact of H.R. 1 on Connecticut SNAP and HUSKY
Connecticut DSS has noted that benefits have changed due to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R. 1). Work requirements for SNAP (Connecticut SNAP) and HUSKY (Medicaid) have been expanded. Households should confirm their eligibility status at portal.ct.gov/dss. S-EBT eligibility itself is based on the 2025–2026 school year data and is not directly affected by the H.R. 1 work requirement changes for the 2026 summer benefit.
Where to Use Connecticut S-EBT
Connecticut S-EBT works at any authorized SNAP retailer in the state:
- Major grocery chains — Stop & Shop, Big Y, ShopRite, Aldi, Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Stop & Shop, Trader Joe’s
- Farmers’ markets that accept SNAP/EBT — Connecticut has active SNAP-authorized farmers’ markets
- Convenience stores with SNAP authorization
- Online grocery ordering at Walmart and Amazon Fresh where SNAP EBT is accepted
Connecticut also participates in the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) for qualifying elderly, disabled, and homeless SNAP recipients. S-EBT is for grocery purchases and is separate from the RMP. See restaurants that accept EBT in Connecticut for RMP details.
Homeschooled and Online School Children
Children who are homeschooled or attend online school and are not enrolled in an NSLP or SBP school may still qualify for S-EBT if their household receives SNAP, TFA, or HUSKY A. They would be auto-enrolled based on those program benefits, not school meal eligibility. Contact S-EBT Customer Service at 1-844-503-6871 to confirm eligibility for homeschooled children.
Additional Resources for Connecticut Families
Connecticut SNAP: Apply at DSS or online at ct.gov/dss. Connecticut SNAP uses the CONNECT portal. Check how to apply for SNAP in Connecticut for step-by-step guidance.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check WIC income guidelines for Connecticut.
SUN Meals: Free hot meals for all children 18 and under at community sites throughout Connecticut. No application needed at meal sites. Find sites at fns.usda.gov/meals/find-sites or dial 211.
LIHEAP (Connecticut Energy Assistance Program / CEAP): Connecticut SNAP recipients automatically meet LIHEAP income requirements. Called CEAP in Connecticut. See the LIHEAP eligibility guide for how to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Connecticut S-EBT?
S-EBT stands for Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer — Connecticut’s name for the federal SUN Bucks program. It provides $120 per eligible child to buy groceries during the summer. It is administered by Connecticut DSS and is separate from the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program, which ended in 2023.
Who qualifies for Connecticut S-EBT?
Children ages 5–18 (at any point between July 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026) whose household receives Connecticut SNAP, TFA, or HUSKY A are automatically enrolled. Children approved for free or reduced-price school meals through NSLP are also auto-enrolled. Others may apply if household income is at or below 185% FPL and the child attends an NSLP school.
When do Connecticut S-EBT benefits arrive?
Benefits are expected to be deposited in late June 2026. You will receive an approval letter from DSS with the specific deposit date. Call 1-844-503-6871 if you believe you qualify but haven’t received a letter by mid-June.
Do I need to apply for S-EBT every year?
No — if you received S-EBT between July 1 and August 31, 2025, you should automatically receive 2026 benefits without reapplying. DSS will contact you if you need to apply again.
Can I use my old S-EBT card?
Yes — keep your S-EBT card. Connecticut loads new benefits onto the same card each year. Never throw away your S-EBT card after the summer — you will need it again.
What if my child is on HUSKY B (CHIP), not HUSKY A?
HUSKY B does not automatically qualify for S-EBT. You may need to apply if your child is not on SNAP, TFA, or HUSKY A. Contact DSS at 1-844-503-6871 to confirm your child’s specific HUSKY program and eligibility.
For the full Summer EBT program overview, see the SUN Bucks national program guide. To check your SNAP eligibility in Connecticut, use the EBT qualification estimator.