Vermont Summer EBT provides $120 per eligible school-age child for summer grocery purchases, administered by the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF). Vermont has a dedicated state Summer EBT portal at summerebt.vermont.gov and a unique two-track eligibility structure: children ages 6–16 qualify through public benefits programs, while children of any age outside that range can qualify through school-based pathways.
Vermont’s SNAP program is called 3SquaresVT — and families receiving 3SquaresVT are automatically enrolled. Vermont’s TANF is called Reach Up — and those families are also automatically enrolled. Notification letters for auto-enrolled families will be mailed in June 2026.
Vermont Summer EBT 2026 — Key Facts
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Benefit amount | $120 per eligible child (one-time payment) |
| State agency | Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) |
| Official portal | summerebt.vermont.gov |
| Apply online | summerebt.vermont.gov |
| Enrollment notification | Mailed in June 2026 for auto-enrolled families |
| Benefits Service Center | 1-800-479-6151 |
| Senior Helpline | 1-800-642-5119 (Vermonters 60+ for personalized assistance) |
| EBT balance check | ebtedge.com or 1-800-914-8605 |
| Benefits expire | 122 days from issue date |
| Vermont SNAP called | 3SquaresVT |
| Vermont TANF called | Reach Up |
| Vermont Medicaid called | Green Mountain Care |
| Vermont EBT matching program | Crop Cash (3:1 at farmers’ markets) |
| Income limit for 3SquaresVT | 185% FPL (no asset test for most households) |
Vermont’s Three Program Names — 3SquaresVT, Reach Up, and Green Mountain Care
Vermont has distinctive branded names for all three major public assistance programs that qualify children for Summer EBT auto-enrollment:
3SquaresVT — Vermont’s name for SNAP (food stamps). Three squares a day — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — is the inspiration for the name. Families receiving 3SquaresVT are automatically enrolled in Summer EBT.
Reach Up — Vermont’s name for TANF (cash assistance). Vermont’s Department for Children and Families administers Reach Up as part of its economic stability programs. Reach Up households are automatically enrolled alongside 3SquaresVT.
Green Mountain Care — Vermont’s name for Medicaid. Vermont has one of the highest Medicaid participation rates in the country. Qualifying income-based Green Mountain Care enrollment triggers Summer EBT auto-enrollment.
These three program names are unique to Vermont; no other state in this series uses any of these names.
Who Qualifies for Vermont Summer EBT
Vermont has a two-track eligibility structure — a different approach from most states in this series:
Track 1 — Ages 6–16 (Categorical Benefits Pathway)
Children who are ages 6–16 automatically qualify and are enrolled without applying if they receive:
- 3SquaresVT (Vermont SNAP)
- Reach Up (Vermont TANF)
- Green Mountain Care / Medicaid with qualifying household income
These children are enrolled regardless of their school type — including homeschooled children receiving the above benefits.
Track 2 — Any Age (School-Based Pathway)
Children who are younger than 6 or older than 16 can still qualify if:
- They attend a Vermont public school or an independent school that participates in the NSLP, AND
- Their household receives 3SquaresVT, Reach Up, or qualifying Medicaid income
Additionally, children of any age who:
- Participate in the National School Lunch Program through an approved meal application, OR
- Participate in several other assistance programs as determined by DCF
Vermont’s approach of extending eligibility to children outside the typical 6–16 age window through the school-based pathway is more inclusive than most other states in this series.
Must Apply
Families not automatically enrolled through the above pathways who believe they qualify based on household income may apply at summerebt.vermont.gov.
Vermont Summer EBT Income Limits 2026
For families applying based on household income (not auto-enrolled through 3SquaresVT/Reach Up/Medicaid):
| 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 thresholds at summerebt.vermont.gov.
Vermont 3SquaresVT context: Vermont’s SNAP program uses 185% FPL BBCE with no asset test for most households — a generous threshold that puts Vermont alongside states like New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Since 3SquaresVT enrollment auto-qualifies for Summer EBT, more Vermont families qualify through automatic enrollment than in states with stricter SNAP eligibility. See Vermont 3SquaresVT income limits for the full picture.
How to Apply for Vermont Summer EBT
Step 1 — Check Auto-Enrollment
If your family receives 3SquaresVT, Reach Up, or qualifying Medicaid (Green Mountain Care), your eligible children are automatically enrolled. Watch for your notification letter by mail in June 2026.
Step 2 — Apply at summerebt.vermont.gov (If Needed)
Vermont’s dedicated Summer EBT portal makes applications straightforward: visit summerebt.vermont.gov and follow the online application. Vermont has built a user-friendly state portal specifically for Summer EBT — distinct from the general DCF benefits portal.
Call 1-800-479-6151 (Benefits Service Center) for assistance.
Step 3 — What You’ll Need
- Child’s name, date of birth, and Vermont school (if applicable)
- 3SquaresVT, Reach Up, or Medicaid case number (if applicable)
- Household size and gross monthly income
- Mailing address for benefits notification or card
Vermont Crop Cash — 3:1 Match at Farmers’ Markets
Vermont participates in Crop Cash — Vermont’s EBT matching program at farmers’ markets and farm stands. When you spend 3SquaresVT benefits on fresh fruits and vegetables at a participating location, you receive matching tokens for additional produce — up to $20 per visit.
While Crop Cash applies to 3SquaresVT (SNAP) spending rather than Summer EBT specifically, Vermont families using both Summer EBT and 3SquaresVT at participating farmers’ markets during summer can maximize their produce purchasing power. Vermont has a particularly dense network of participating markets given the state’s agricultural character.
Find participating markets at vtfarmersmarket.org or through local farmers’ market directories.
Vermont’s MyBenefits Portal
Vermont families can apply for 3SquaresVT, Reach Up, and Medicaid through the MyBenefits portal at mybenefits.vt.gov. This is different from summerebt.vermont.gov (the Summer EBT-specific portal). Summer EBT applications go through summerebt.vermont.gov; SNAP/TANF/Medicaid applications go through MyBenefits.
Where to Use Vermont Summer EBT
Vermont Summer EBT works at any authorized SNAP retailer statewide:
- Major grocery chains — Price Chopper, Hannaford, Shaw’s, Aldi, Walmart, Market 32, Shaws
- Farmers’ markets that accept SNAP/EBT — Vermont has an extensive network of farmers’ markets; Crop Cash match available at participating locations
- Co-ops and natural food stores — City Market (Burlington), Hunger Mountain Co-op (Montpelier), and others
- Convenience stores with SNAP authorization
- Online grocery ordering at Walmart and Amazon Fresh where EBT is accepted
Vermont Summer EBT follows SNAP food rules — eligible for most groceries; not for hot food, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, or non-food items. See the SNAP-eligible food guide for what qualifies.
Additional Resources for Vermont Families
3SquaresVT (SNAP): Apply through MyBenefits at mybenefits.vt.gov or call 1-800-479-6151. Vermonters 60+ can call the Senior Helpline at 1-800-642-5119. Check Vermont SNAP income limits and see how to apply for 3SquaresVT.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check Vermont WIC income eligibility.
SUN Meals / SFSP: Free hot meals for all children 18 and under at community sites. Dial 2-1-1 (Vermont 2-1-1) or visit fns.usda.gov/meals/find-sites.
Vermont Foodbank: statewide food bank; vermontfoodbank.org. Call Vermont 2-1-1 for referrals to food pantries and meal programs across all 14 Vermont counties.
LIHEAP: Vermont SNAP households automatically meet LIHEAP income requirements for energy assistance. Vermont winters are severe; heating assistance is one of the most important programs in the state. See the LIHEAP program guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for Vermont Summer EBT?
Children ages 6–16 who receive 3SquaresVT, Reach Up, or qualifying Green Mountain Care (Medicaid) are automatically enrolled. Children of any age who are younger than 6 or older than 16 and attend an NSLP school while their household receives 3SquaresVT, Reach Up, or qualifying Medicaid are also eligible. Children approved for free or reduced-price meals through NSLP applications may also qualify.
What is 3SquaresVT?
3SquaresVT is Vermont’s name for SNAP (food stamps) — representing three square meals a day. It’s administered by Vermont DCF. Families receiving 3SquaresVT are automatically enrolled in Summer EBT.
What is Reach Up?
Reach Up is Vermont’s name for TANF (cash assistance), administered by Vermont DCF as part of its economic stability programs. Reach Up households are automatically enrolled in Summer EBT alongside 3SquaresVT families.
When do Vermont Summer EBT notification letters arrive?
Families automatically enrolled will receive a notification letter by mail in June 2026. Benefits are distributed during the summer months.
Can children outside the 6–16 age range qualify?
Yes — Vermont is more inclusive than most states on age range. Children younger than 6 or older than 16 can qualify through the school-based pathway if they attend an NSLP school and their household receives 3SquaresVT, Reach Up, or qualifying Medicaid.
For the complete Summer EBT national overview, see the SUN Bucks program guide. To check your Vermont 3SquaresVT eligibility, use the food assistance benefit estimator.