West Virginia calls its Summer EBT program “SEBT” — Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer — administered by the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) in partnership with the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE). Each eligible student receives a one-time $120 benefit for summer grocery purchases. Auto-enrolled students received benefits on May 24, 2026 — among the earliest distributions in the country.
West Virginia is notable in this series for two critical distinctions: there is no online application option — all applications must be submitted on paper, in person, by mail, email, or fax through a local DoHS county office — and the state also has an active SNAP soda ban that affects SEBT purchases.
West Virginia SEBT 2026 — Key Facts
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Program name | SEBT (Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer) — West Virginia’s term |
| Benefit amount | $120 per eligible student (one-time payment) |
| State agencies | West Virginia DoHS + West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) |
| Official page | bfa.wv.gov/summer-ebt |
| WVDE page | wvde.us/student-support-wellness/child-nutrition/summer-ebt |
| Auto-enrolled issuance | May 24, 2026 |
| DoHS SEBT phone | 1-877-716-1212 |
| Application deadline | August 20, 2026 |
| Early deadline for May benefits | May 15, 2026 (for end-of-May distribution) |
| Application method | Paper only — no online application |
| Application submission | In person, by mail, email, or fax through local DoHS county office |
| Benefits expire | 122 days from issue date |
| WV TANF called | WV Works |
| WV SNAP soda ban | Effective January 1, 2026 — carbonated sodas banned |
| WV PATH portal | wvpath.wv.gov (for SNAP, not SEBT applications) |
| CEP school note | CEP school attendance does NOT auto-qualify |
| Income limit update | Changes July 1 each year; eligibility based on limits at date of application |
West Virginia’s “SEBT” Program Name
West Virginia officially uses “SEBT” (Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer) throughout its DoHS and WVDE materials — not “SUN Bucks,” though that is the federal program name. The article uses both terms for findability, but SEBT appears in all official West Virginia communications.
No Online Application — Paper Applications Only
West Virginia is the only state in this series with no online application option for Summer EBT. All SEBT applications must be submitted on paper:
- Download the 2026 Summer EBT paper application from bfa.wv.gov/summer-ebt
- Pick up a paper application at any local DoHS county office
- Submit by:
- In person at a DoHS county office
- Mail to your local DoHS county office
- Email to your local DoHS county office
- Fax to your local DoHS county office
- Office of Constituent Services
Visit the DoHS Field Offices page at dhhr.wv.gov for county office contact information and addresses.
This no-online-application policy makes West Virginia the most administratively distinctive state in this series for the application process.
Who Qualifies for West Virginia SEBT
Automatically Enrolled — No Application Needed
Your student is automatically enrolled if they attend an NSLP school AND are part of any of the following:
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- TANF / WV Works (West Virginia’s TANF cash assistance program)
- Directly certified for free or reduced-price school meals through their NSLP school
CEP school attendance alone does not qualify: Attendance at a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school — where all students receive free meals — does not make a student automatically eligible for SEBT. CEP school families must apply unless they also receive SNAP, TANF/WV Works, or have an individual free/reduced-price meal application on file.
Must Apply — Income-Eligible Families
Families not auto-enrolled must submit a paper application by August 20, 2026 through their local DoHS county office.
For May issuance: To receive benefits during the week of May 25, 2026, families who need to apply should submit a complete application by May 15, 2026.
The entire household must be at or below 185% FPL to be eligible through application.
West Virginia SEBT Income Limits 2026
Income guidelines change on July 1 of each year. Eligibility is based on the limits in effect at the date of application.
Before July 1, 2026:
| 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 |
After July 1, 2026: Limits increase with the annual FPL update. Apply after July 1 if your income is close to the threshold. Confirm the updated limits at bfa.wv.gov/summer-ebt.
How to Apply for West Virginia SEBT
Step 1 — Confirm Whether Your Student Is Auto-Enrolled
If your student attends an NSLP school and your household receives SNAP or WV Works, they are automatically enrolled. Call 1-877-716-1212 if unsure.
Step 2 — Obtain and Complete the Paper Application
Download the printable 2026 Summer EBT application from bfa.wv.gov/summer-ebt, or pick up a copy at any local DoHS county office.
Step 3 — Submit by One of Four Methods
Submit your completed application to your local DoHS county office by:
- In person at the county office
- By mail to the county office address
- By email to the county office email
- By fax to the county office fax number
- Office of Constituent Services (for families without county office access)
Find your county office contact at the DoHS Field Offices page (dhhr.wv.gov).
If you do not have reliable internet access to download the application, visit your local DoHS office for a paper copy and in-person assistance.
Step 4 — Deadlines
- May 15, 2026 — submit by this date to receive benefits during the week of May 25
- August 20, 2026 — final deadline for 2026 SEBT benefits; applications received after this date are not considered for 2026
West Virginia SNAP Soda Ban — Applies to SEBT
West Virginia became the first state in the country to implement a SNAP Healthy Choices demonstration waiver restricting the purchase of sodas, effective January 1, 2026. This ban also applies to West Virginia SEBT benefits.
What is banned in West Virginia SNAP/SEBT:
- Carbonated, sweetened beverages (sodas / soft drinks)
Still allowed:
- Milk, juice, water
- Unsweetened carbonated beverages (plain sparkling water)
- All other SNAP-eligible groceries
For the full list, see West Virginia SNAP soda ban.
West Virginia’s WV Works — TANF by Another Name
West Virginia calls its TANF cash assistance program WV Works — administered by DoHS. WV Works households whose students attend NSLP schools are automatically enrolled in SEBT alongside SNAP households.
Where to Use West Virginia SEBT
West Virginia SEBT works at any authorized SNAP retailer statewide, subject to the soda ban:
- Major grocery chains — Kroger, Walmart, Aldi, Food Lion, Foodland (WV regional chain), Fruth Pharmacy (regional convenience chain with groceries)
- Farmers’ markets that accept SNAP/EBT
- Convenience stores with SNAP authorization
- Online grocery ordering at Walmart and Amazon Fresh where EBT is accepted (soda restrictions apply online as well)
West Virginia SEBT follows SNAP food rules plus the active soda restriction. See the SNAP-eligible grocery guide for the complete food eligibility list.
Additional Resources for West Virginia Families
West Virginia SNAP: Apply through WV PATH at wvpath.wv.gov or visit your local DoHS county office. Check West Virginia SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in West Virginia.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check West Virginia WIC income eligibility.
SUN Meals / SFSP: Free hot meals for all children 18 and under at community sites. Dial 211 (WV 211) or visit fns.usda.gov/meals/find-sites. Rural West Virginia families should look for SUN Meals To-Go delivery and pickup options.
LIHEAP: West Virginia SNAP households automatically meet LIHEAP income requirements. See LIHEAP energy assistance in West Virginia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for West Virginia SEBT?
Students who attend NSLP schools and whose household receives SNAP or WV Works (TANF) are automatically enrolled. Students directly certified for free or reduced-price meals at NSLP schools are also auto-enrolled. Others may apply on paper through their local DoHS county office by August 20, 2026 if household income is at or below 185% FPL.
Is there an online application for West Virginia SEBT?
No — West Virginia is the only participating state in this series with no online application option. All applications must be submitted on paper through your local DoHS county office (in person, by mail, by email, or by fax).
What is WV Works?
WV Works is West Virginia’s TANF cash assistance program. Students in WV Works households who attend NSLP schools are automatically enrolled in SEBT.
When were West Virginia SEBT benefits distributed?
Automatically enrolled students received benefits on May 24, 2026 — one of the earliest distributions nationally. Students who applied by May 15 received benefits the week of May 25.
Does my child’s CEP school enrollment qualify them automatically?
No — attending a CEP school (where all students get free meals) does not automatically qualify for SEBT. Unless your household also receives SNAP or WV Works, or your child has an individual free/reduced-price meal application on file, you must apply.
Can I use West Virginia SEBT to buy soda?
No — West Virginia has an active SNAP soda ban effective January 1, 2026, which also applies to SEBT. Carbonated, sweetened beverages cannot be purchased with West Virginia SEBT or SNAP benefits.
For the complete Summer EBT national overview, see the SUN Bucks program guide. To check your West Virginia SNAP eligibility, use the food assistance benefit estimator.