New York Summer EBT Delivers $216M to 1.8 Million Children
Eligible families receive $120 per child as New York works to close the summer hunger gap.
More than 1.8 million New York children have received over $216 million through the New York Summer EBT program this summer, giving eligible families $120 per child to help buy groceries while schools are closed. The state expects assistance to eventually reach nearly 2 million school-age children.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the latest distribution figures Tuesday, Aug. 11, saying the program is designed to help families manage food costs during a time of year when children who normally receive free or reduced-price school meals may lose access to those meals.
Summer EBT is federally funded and administered in New York by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
What is New York Summer EBT?
Summer EBT is an annual food assistance benefit that provides eligible families $120 for each qualifying school-age child to buy groceries during the summer.
Most eligible children receive the benefit automatically. Families who are not automatically enrolled may need to submit an application by Sept. 8, 2026.
Benefits can be used similarly to SNAP at participating grocery stores, farmers markets and other authorized food retailers. Qualifying purchases include foods such as:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat and poultry
- Dairy products
- Whole grains
- Other SNAP-eligible groceries
The state said Summer EBT benefits remain available for 122 days after they are issued, after which unused benefits are removed from the card.
Who automatically receives the benefit?
Many families do not need to complete a separate application.
According to OTDA and the Governor’s Office, children may receive Summer EBT automatically when they meet eligibility requirements and their household participates in programs such as:
- SNAP
- Public Assistance
- Medicaid
A child generally must attend a school participating in the National School Lunch Program and meet income requirements associated with free or reduced-price school meals.
Families who believe their children qualify but have not received benefits should check their eligibility before the Sept. 8 application deadline.
State expects about $240 million in total benefits
The $216 million distributed so far is not expected to be the final amount.
New York officials estimate that approximately $240 million will eventually be issued to nearly 2 million school-age children as additional benefits are distributed through the remainder of the year.
That would represent roughly $24 million in additional food assistance beyond the amount already distributed.
Hochul framed the program as part of the state’s broader effort to address affordability.
“At a time when groceries and other costs are sky high, we’re continuing to put money back in the pockets of millions of New York families,” Hochul said.
Research finds Summer EBT can reduce childhood hunger
The program is not only intended to provide short-term financial help.
Research conducted through U.S. Department of Agriculture Summer EBT demonstration programs found that providing additional summer food benefits reduced the most severe category of food insecurity among children by about one-third.
USDA evaluations have also found improvements in children’s diets among participating households.
The findings highlight a persistent problem for lower-income families: school breakfast and lunch programs operate through much of the academic year, but summer vacation can create a gap in reliable food access.
Summer EBT was designed to help close that gap.
New York expands other food assistance programs
The Summer EBT announcement comes as New York continues investing state money in food assistance and school meal programs.
The state’s FY 2027 budget includes:
- $51 million for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program.
- An additional $15 million to expand HPNAP assistance to regional food banks and pantries.
- $55 million for Nourish New York.
- $395 million to reimburse school meal costs during FY 2027.
The school-meal funding continues implementation of New York’s Universal Free School Meals program.
State officials are also moving toward chip-enabled EBT cards as part of an effort to make benefits more difficult to steal through electronic skimming.
Political debate surrounds nutrition programs
The Governor’s announcement also included sharp criticism of federal Republican policies affecting nutrition assistance.
Hochul and several Democratic members of New York’s congressional delegation argued that reductions or changes to federal food programs could put additional pressure on lower-income households. Those comments represent the officials’ political positions and should be distinguished from the basic eligibility and distribution facts of the Summer EBT program.
Rep. John Mannion, whose district includes parts of Central New York, praised Summer EBT and New York’s expansion of free school meals.
He said children should have reliable access to food both during the school year and during summer vacation.
Supporters argue that targeted food assistance reduces childhood hunger while helping families manage rising household expenses.
Critics of expanded government benefit programs have historically raised concerns about program costs, federal spending and the long-term expansion of public assistance. Summer EBT, however, is now an established federal nutrition program implemented by participating states.
What Central New York families should do
For families in Utica, Rome and across the Mohawk Valley, the most important question is whether an eligible child has already received the benefit.
Parents and caregivers should:
- Check whether their child received a Summer EBT eligibility notice.
- Look for benefits on an existing 2025 Summer EBT card if that card was previously used.
- Watch for a new card if the child is entering the program for the first time.
- Determine whether an application is necessary.
- Submit any required application by Sept. 8, 2026.
- Use the benefit within 122 days of issuance.
Families can obtain official eligibility and application information through the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
Closing the summer food gap
The New York Summer EBT program illustrates how a relatively simple benefit can address a predictable problem: children still need reliable meals when school cafeterias close for summer.
With more than $216 million already distributed to 1.8 million children, the program has reached a significant share of New York families who qualify for assistance.
For families who have not yet received their benefits, the approaching Sept. 8 application deadline makes checking eligibility especially important.
The assistance may be only $120 per child, but for families trying to stretch grocery budgets through the final weeks of summer, those dollars can make a meaningful difference.
