New York State Summer EBT provides $120 per eligible school-age child for summer grocery purchases, administered entirely by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) — not by county agencies. Benefits for 2026 began issuing in June 2026 and the application deadline is September 8, 2026 — one of the latest deadlines in the country.
New York’s Summer EBT program has several features that make it unique in this series: each eligible child receives their own separate EBT card, benefits cannot be replaced if stolen, OTDA sends text message alerts when benefits are issued, and New York specifically warns that Summer EBT is not available to every New York City public school student simply because they receive free meals through the Community Eligibility Provision.
New York Summer EBT 2026 — Key Facts
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Benefit amount | $120 per eligible child (one-time payment) |
| State agency | New York State OTDA (Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance) |
| Official page | otda.ny.gov/programs/summer-ebt |
| Apply online | summerebt.ny.gov |
| Application deadline | September 8, 2026 (latest deadline in the series) |
| Apply by mail | Mail application postmarked by September 8, 2026 |
| Benefits issued | Starting June 2026; continuing through summer and fall |
| Summer EBT Helpline | 1-833-452-0096 (24/7 automated; agent M–F 8:30 AM–5 PM) |
| EBT balance/replacement | 1-888-328-6399 or ebtEDGE app |
| Card structure | One Summer EBT card per eligible child |
| Card type | Same card as prior year for returning participants; new card for new participants |
| Stolen benefits | Cannot be replaced — freeze/unfreeze your card between uses |
| OTDA text alerts | OTDA texts most households when benefits are issued |
| Benefits expire | 122 days from issue date — all unused funds removed |
| County agencies | Cannot answer Summer EBT questions — contact OTDA directly |
| Immigration | No immigration criteria — children qualify regardless of status |
| NY TANF called | Temporary Assistance (TA) or Cash Assistance |
New York’s OTDA — Not Your County Agency
An important clarification unique to New York: Summer EBT is run entirely by OTDA — county agencies cannot answer Summer EBT questions. Many New Yorkers contact their local Department of Social Services or HRA (Human Resources Administration in NYC) with Summer EBT questions, but county offices have no access to Summer EBT case information.
For all questions — eligibility, card status, address updates, application status — contact the Summer EBT Helpline at 1-833-452-0096 (24/7 automated; live agents Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–5 PM with interpreter access for any language).
For card balance and replacement: contact EBT customer service at 1-888-328-6399 or use the ebtEDGE app.
Who Qualifies for New York Summer EBT
Automatically Enrolled — No Application Needed
New York uses “Streamlined Certified” as its term for auto-enrollment. Your child is automatically enrolled if they meet either condition during the period of eligibility (July 1, 2025 – September 8, 2026):
Condition 1 — Ages 6–16 with public benefits: Your child is ages 6–16 AND received SNAP, Temporary Assistance (cash benefits), or Medicaid at any point between July 1, 2025 and September 8, 2026.
This group qualifies without a school enrollment requirement — including children who are homeschooled or attend non-NSLP schools. Children between the ages of 6 and 16 years old in receipt of SNAP, Cash Assistance or Medicaid are automatically eligible. There is no requirement that this group attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program; this includes children who may be home schooled or attend a school that does not participate in the NSLP.
Condition 2 — Any age, directly certified at NSLP/SBP school: Your child is directly certified for free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program by their school — at any age. Direct certification typically happens when school meal offices verify SNAP or Medicaid receipt.
Must Apply — Income-Eligible NSLP Students
Children who are not auto-enrolled through either condition above may still qualify if:
- They attend a school that participates in the NSLP
- Household income is at or below 185% FPL
Apply at summerebt.ny.gov (online) or download and mail the paper application (available in multiple languages at otda.ny.gov/programs/applications/#summer-ebt) with a postmark no later than September 8, 2026.
NYC CEP Schools — Important Clarification
New York City public schools — and certain other counties — use the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), where all students receive free school lunch regardless of household income. CEP alone does NOT qualify a child for Summer EBT. Summer EBT will NOT be given to every child in the NYC Public Schools. Although all NYC public school students have access to free school lunch via the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), CEP is NOT in itself an eligibility factor for Summer EBT; therefore the 185% FPL guidelines are used as an eligibility guideline for Summer EBT.
NYC families who receive SNAP, Temporary Assistance, or Medicaid are auto-enrolled. Other NYC families must apply and meet the 185% FPL income threshold.
New York Summer EBT Income Limits 2026
For families applying based on household 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. Updated guidelines will be posted at otda.ny.gov after July 1, 2026. Confirm current thresholds at summerebt.ny.gov.
One Card Per Eligible Child
Unlike states where all children’s benefits are loaded on one household card, New York issues a separate Summer EBT card for each eligible child. A household with three eligible children receives three separate cards.
Returning participants (received Summer EBT in a prior year): benefits are loaded onto the same card already issued. Keep prior-year cards.
New participants: a new Summer EBT card is mailed to your address on file.
OTDA sends a letter to all auto-enrolled children informing them they will receive benefits. OTDA also texts most households when benefits are issued — keep your phone number current with OTDA at the Summer EBT Helpline.
Stolen Benefits Cannot Be Replaced — Freeze Your Card
New York explicitly warns: Summer EBT food benefits cannot be replaced if stolen. This mirrors Connecticut’s S-EBT rule.
Unlike SNAP benefits, which may have replacement pathways in some states, stolen Summer EBT benefits are permanently lost. New York strongly recommends:
- Freeze your card between uses using the ebtEDGE app or website (ebtedge.com) — the freeze/unfreeze feature prevents the card from being used at a store even if a skimmer captured the card number
- Change your PIN regularly
- Check your balance frequently for unauthorized charges
If you believe an error occurred and received more than $120 per eligible child, do not use the excess benefits and call the Summer EBT Helpline at 1-833-452-0096 immediately.
How to Apply for New York Summer EBT
Step 1 — Confirm Auto-Enrollment
If your child is ages 6–16 and your household received SNAP, Temporary Assistance, or Medicaid between July 1, 2025 and September 8, 2026, your child is auto-enrolled. Check for a letter and watch for OTDA’s text message notification.
Use the Income Checker tool at summerebt.ny.gov to quickly check whether your child needs to apply.
Step 2 — Apply at summerebt.ny.gov (If Needed)
If your child is not auto-enrolled:
- Go to summerebt.ny.gov
- Complete the online application, OR
- Download the paper application in your language at otda.ny.gov/programs/applications/#summer-ebt and mail with postmark by September 8, 2026
Paper applications are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Italian, Russian, Haitian Creole, Bengali, Arabic, Polish, and Yiddish — reflecting New York’s extraordinary linguistic diversity.
Step 3 — What You’ll Need
- Child’s name, date of birth, and New York school
- School’s NSLP participation status
- Household size and gross income
- SNAP, Temporary Assistance, or Medicaid case number (if applicable)
- Mailing address — update via the Summer EBT Helpline if you’ve moved
Step 4 — Application Status
OTDA sends an email confirming receipt. A second email follows with the approval or denial decision. For status questions, call 1-833-452-0096.
New York SNAP Context
New York’s SNAP program is administered through OTDA and local Departments of Social Services. In New York City, it’s managed by HRA (Human Resources Administration). New York uses “Temporary Assistance” (TA) as its TANF/cash assistance name. Both SNAP and TA auto-qualify children ages 6–16 for Summer EBT.
New York also has the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) — eligible SNAP recipients who are elderly (60+), disabled, or homeless can use EBT at participating restaurants. See restaurants that accept EBT in New York for the full RMP guide.
Check New York SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in New York for full SNAP guidance.
Where to Use New York Summer EBT
New York Summer EBT works at any SNAP-authorized retailer statewide:
- Major grocery chains — Key Food, C-Town, Western Beef, Stop & Shop, King Kullen, Wegmans, Tops Markets, Price Chopper, Hannaford, Aldi, Walmart, Associated Supermarkets, ShopRite
- Farmers’ markets — New York has extensive EBT farmers’ market access; many NYC Greenmarkets accept EBT
- Online grocery ordering at Walmart and Amazon Fresh where EBT is accepted
New York Summer EBT follows SNAP food rules — eligible for most groceries; not for hot food, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, or non-food items. See the SNAP food eligibility guide for what qualifies.
Additional Resources for New York Families
New York SNAP: Apply through OTDA’s myBenefits portal at mybenefits.ny.gov, HRA ACCESS HRA in NYC, or contact your county DSS. See New York SNAP income limits and how to apply for SNAP in New York.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check New York WIC income eligibility.
SUN Meals / SFSP: Free hot meals for all children 18 and under at community sites across New York State. Dial 211 (NY 211) or visit summermeals.ny.gov.
HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program): New York’s LIHEAP program — called HEAP. Applications for the 2025–2026 cooling season opened April 15, 2026. See LIHEAP application overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for New York Summer EBT?
Children ages 6–16 who received SNAP, Temporary Assistance, or Medicaid between July 1, 2025 and September 8, 2026 are automatically enrolled — including homeschooled children and those in non-NSLP schools. Children directly certified by an NSLP school are also auto-enrolled at any age. Others may apply at summerebt.ny.gov if household income is at or below 185% FPL.
Does every NYC public school student get Summer EBT?
No — CEP (Community Eligibility Provision) alone does not qualify a child. NYC students who receive SNAP, Temporary Assistance, or Medicaid are auto-enrolled. Other NYC families must apply and demonstrate household income at or below 185% FPL.
What if my Summer EBT benefits are stolen?
Stolen Summer EBT benefits cannot be replaced. Use the freeze/unfreeze feature in the ebtEDGE app to lock your card between purchases. Change your PIN regularly.
Can I contact my county DSS about Summer EBT?
No — county agencies cannot access Summer EBT information. Contact OTDA directly at 1-833-452-0096.
When is the New York Summer EBT deadline?
September 8, 2026 — one of the latest application deadlines in the country. Applications must be submitted online at summerebt.ny.gov or mailed with a postmark no later than September 8.
Are homeschooled children eligible?
Yes — homeschooled children ages 6–16 who receive SNAP, Temporary Assistance, or Medicaid are automatically eligible regardless of school enrollment.
For the complete Summer EBT national overview, see the SUN Bucks program guide. To check your New York SNAP eligibility, use the food assistance qualification tool.