New York families receiving $120 per child in summer food benefits: Do you qualify?

Hundreds of thousands of families across New York will benefit from a summer food assistance program designed to help parents feed their children while school is out of session.

On Monday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the state has begun issuing $250 million in food assistance to roughly 2.2 million low-income children as part of the 2025 Summer EBT program.

Eligible families will receive $120 worth of food benefits per child to help buy groceries during the summer when kids might not have access to school meals.

“As New York’s first mom governor, I’m committed to doing everything in my power to help kids and families across the state,” Hochul said. “At a time when federally funded nutrition programs are under attack in Washington, Summer EBT will help thousands of low-income families with school-aged children across our state afford to buy healthy food over the summer when many children lose access to free school meals.”

Eligible families will receive Summer EBT food benefits on an EBT card that they can use just like SNAP benefits for thing like fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains and dairy products.

Families cannot use benefits to buy items like alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, supplements, live animals or foods that are hot at the point of sale, as well as any non-food items like pet food, cleaning supplies, paper products, hygiene items and other household supplies.

Most eligible children will automatically receive Summer EBT benefits, though some others may need to apply via the program’s website.

The following groups will automatically receive Summer EBT benefits.

• Children ages 6 through 16 who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance (cash) benefits, or Medicaid during the period of eligibility (July 1, 2024 – September 4, 2025)
• Children of any age who are directly certified for free/reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program by their school.

Those who aren’t automatically enrolled in the program can still apply, but must meet both of the following requirements.

• A student must attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program
• The household’s income must be at or below the limits for eligibility for free/reduced-price school meals (185% federal poverty level).

Income guidelines for the Summer EBT program can be viewed on the state Office of Temporary Disability Assistance website.

The first batch of benefits was issued on June 18, with the rest expected to be issued throughout the summer, according to state officials.

Summer EBT food benefits will remain available and accessible on a Summer EBT food benefits card for 122 days after the date they were issued. All unused benefits are removed from the card after this time, so be sure to use your benefits soon after you receive them.