GOVERNOR HOCHUL HIGHLIGHTS DISTRIBUTION OF MORE THAN $216 MILLION IN FOOD ASSISTANCE TO MORE THAN 1.8 MILLION CHILDREN ACROSS NEW YORK SO FAR THIS SUMMER
Eligible Families Receive $120 Per Eligible Child Through 2026 Summer EBT Program
Summer EBT Helps Low-Income Families Afford Healthy Meals for School-Aged Children When Schools Are on Summer Break
Nearly All Eligible Households Receive Benefits Automatically, Some May Need to Apply Prior to Sept. 8 Deadline; Application Is Available Here
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that more than 1.8 million low-income children have already received summer food assistance totaling more than $216 million as part of the 2026 Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program. The program provides $120 per child to eligible families to help pay for healthy food during the summer months when many children lose access to free school meals.
“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,” Governor Hochul said. “While the Trump Administration keeps raising costs for everyday Americans and attacking food assistance programs, I’m staying focused on supporting families and ensuring our kids can succeed.”
Summer EBT benefits will continue to be sent to families through the fall and until the end of the year. When completed, approximately $240 million in food assistance is expected to be issued to nearly 2 million school-aged children.
Most eligible children receive the benefits automatically. However, some families may need to apply. New Yorkers are encouraged to learn more about eligibility and apply, if eligible, before the September 8 deadline.
Administered by the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Summer EBT is a federally funded program aimed at reducing hunger and food insecurity among children who are unable to access free and reduced-price school meals during the summertime when school is out. Eligible families with school-age children will receive a one-time payment of $120 per child as part of this summer’s program.
Research has shown that providing families with summer food benefits reduces childhood hunger and promotes better nutrition. A demonstration project tested by the USDA during the pandemic found that Summer EBT decreased the number of kids with very low food security by one-third.
While Washington Republicans have sought to weaken programs designed to help assist those in need, Governor Hochul has remained focused on fighting to make life more affordable for families in New York. Governor Hochul has prioritized protecting the dollars that New Yorkers depend on and ensuring they can access resources necessary to uplift them and their families. Governor Hochul secured in the FY27 State Budget:
- $51 million for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP), $15 million to expand HPNAP to regional food banks and pantries, and $55 million for the Nourish NY program in the FY27 State Budget. This is on top of the $65 million announced in October for emergency food assistance that will reinforce New York’s network of vital food bank and pantry partners.
- $395 million to reimburse the cost of school meals served in FY 2027, a $55 million year-to-year increase that continues the implementation of the Universal Free School Meals (UFSM) program that was enacted in the FY26 Budget.
- In addition, with the Governor’s funding commitment, New York becomes one of just a handful of states transitioning to secure chip-based EBT card technology to help protect SNAP recipients from skimming.
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “Summer EBT is a highly effective and essential tool in our fight to reduce food insecurity and hunger among school-aged children, helping ensure that children whose families rely on free breakfast and lunch during the school year continue to have access to healthy food when school is out. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for prioritizing programs like Summer EBT and for making landmark investments in nutrition programs that support the well-being of children and families across New York State.”
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said, “No child should ever go hungry, which is why I have always fought to secure federal funding for the Summer EBT program. I’m grateful that Governor Hochul has already delivered more than $216 million to nearly 1.8 million children across New York State this summer. As grocery prices continue to rise and so many New Yorkers struggle to make ends meet, and Republicans are moving forward to implement draconian cuts to federal nutrition assistance that are taking effect, it is more important than ever that we use every lever we have available to help feed children across the state.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “I’m proud to support initiatives like the Summer EBT program, which helps over a million New York children access healthy meals over summer vacation and eases the strain of skyrocketing grocery prices for low-income families. In the face of the Trump administration’s cuts to SNAP, I will continue fighting relentlessly for the programs that help ensure every New Yorker can put food on the table.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, “Life is too expensive in the United States of America. Donald Trump and extreme MAGA Republicans enacted the largest cut to nutritional assistance in American history, ripping food out of the mouths of children, seniors and working families. I thank Governor Hochul for delivering real relief to New Yorkers and ensuring that nearly two million children have access to the healthy food they need. House Democrats will continue to fight to lower the cost of groceries, gas and housing to deliver an affordable America.”
Representative Jerry Nadler said, “As the federal government slashes critical programs like SNAP, Summer EBT is more needed than ever to make sure no child goes hungry. Children must have access to healthy, nutritious food regardless of their family’s income status. I am proud to support Governor Hochul’s actions ensuring millions of New York families have the resources they need to put food on the table for their children while schools are closed.”
Representative Grace Meng said, “Summer EBT benefits are a lifeline for families who depend on school meal programs to make sure their kids can eat breakfast and lunch,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng. “I’m grateful that Governor Hochul is continuing to take action to combat hunger across the state and help fill the nutrition gap that occurs when school is out of session. While Republicans in Washington are cutting food assistance for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers to finance tax breaks for billionaires, Democrats remain committed to making sure no child goes hungry. In Congress, I won’t stop fighting to bring money back to Queens and strengthen federal food assistance programs, like SNAP, that so many families rely on. At every level of government, Democrats will continue working to ensure that no household in New York is left without access to nutritious food.”
Representative Joe Morelle said, “At a time when too many people are struggling with the high cost of groceries, this support will make a real difference for parents and children across New York. Thank you to Governor Hochul and all of our state and community partners for their commitment to tackling the affordability crisis. I look forward to our continued work together.”
Representative Pat Ryan said, “Tariffs and Trump’s war in Iran have driven the cost of groceries out of control, putting undue pressure on Hudson Valley families who are working around the clock to pay their bills and feed their families. Free and reduced-price school meals are a vital lifeline for so many hardworking families, making sure that children are fed and nourished even when budgets are stretched thin. That shouldn’t go away just because school is out of session. I’m incredibly proud of New York stepping up to the plate to help more families afford healthy foods for their kids during the summer. As I continue to fight against Trump’s cuts at the federal level — including the largest cut to SNAP in history last year — I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for doing the work at home to ensure every New York student is taken care of.”
Representative Dan Goldman said, “Child hunger in the richest country on Earth is a political and moral failure. I am grateful to Governor Hochul for distributing $216 million in food assistance to over 1.8 million children in need this summer and providing a lifeline for working families. I will continue working to expand and protect EBT benefits at the federal level and fighting to end the scourge of child hunger once and for all.”
Representative Tim Kennedy said, “The last thing kids should be worried about during the summer is where their next meal is going to come from. Summer is for making memories, building skills and preparing for the upcoming school year, yet for too many families, accessing nutritious and affordable meals becomes a logistical nightmare and a tall financial burden. While Congressional Republicans and President Trump continue their assault on nutritional assistance, New York is showing there is a different path we can take — one that prioritizes our kids and ensures every child, no matter their family income levels, has the food they need to grow and thrive.”
Representative George Latimer said, “In some states, children on summer break have no guarantee of eating three meals every day. However, in New York, more than 1.8 million children have already received food assistance through Governor Hochul and the state of New York this summer. I am proud to support the critical Summer EBT program, and have cosponsored the Summer Meals for Kids Act, which would integrate Summer EBT with the National School Lunch Program. I’m proud of my state and believe all kids across our country should enjoy their summers without worrying where their next meal is coming from.”
Representative John W. Mannion said, “No child should ever go hungry – during the school year or over the summer. Through the expansion of free school meals and programs like Summer EBT, New York has made enormous strides in helping families put healthy food on the table and ensuring children are ready to learn. I commend Governor Hochul for continuing this important assistance, especially as families face high grocery prices and the cruel, draconian cuts to SNAP that I strongly opposed.”
Representative Josh Riley said, “Families across Upstate New York are getting squeezed by the high cost of groceries, and summer shouldn’t mean parents have to choose between paying the bills and putting good food on the table. I applaud Governor Hochul for making sure these benefits reach families across New York and help kids get the healthy meals they need while school is out. I’ll keep fighting in Congress to protect food assistance, lower costs, and make sure every kid has the chance to grow up healthy and strong.”
State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud said, “I’m grateful to Governor Hochul and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance for securing the necessary federal funding to provide eligible children with $120 in summer food benefits, now for the second year in a row. Summer EBT benefits are an important resource to families whose children normally eat two out of three daily meals at school for almost 10 months of the year. I urge all eligible families to access and utilize the benefit before it expires.”
Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages said, “The Summer EBT program is a meaningful, measurable step toward addressing one of our state’s most pressing challenges, food insecurity. Research shows that programs like Summer EBT, which provide targeted support to our most vulnerable families in need, can make a real and lasting difference. Hunger is solvable, doing so requires urgency, innovation, and collaboration. This initiative is proof we are building a future where New Yorkers have reliable access to the nutritious food and security they deserve.”
Assemblymember Maritza Davila said, “Summer EBT is a lifeline for nearly 2 million New York children and their families, helping put healthy food on the table when school is out. I commend Governor Hochul for making sure families have the resources they need to fight hunger and meet the rising cost of living. As Chair of the Assembly Social Services Committee, I will continue working to ensure no child in New York goes hungry.”
Assemblymember Chantel Jackson said, “Summer should never mean a child goes without a healthy meal. Summer EBT puts $120 per eligible child directly in the hands of Bronx families, helping them navigate the rising cost of groceries when school meals aren’t available. As a representative for the Bronx, the unhealthiest county in New York State, I’ll continue fighting for programs that strengthen food security and ensure every child has access to the resources they need.”
Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas said, “Summer should be a time for children to learn, play, and grow, not a time when families are forced to choose between putting food on the table and paying the bills. I’m proud to have been part of the fight for Summer EBT, which provides a critical lifeline to nearly 2 million children across New York and helps families keep their children fed when school is out. At a time when the Trump Administration is attacking the social safety net and making it harder for working families to get by, New York must continue to stand up and fight for our children. We cannot accept a future where any child goes hungry because their family is struggling to make ends meet. We must continue investing in programs like Summer EBT and SNAP, strengthening our food safety net, and ensuring that every family has the resources they need to thrive.”
Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson said, “As Chair of the state’s Food, Farm and Nutrition Policy Task Force, I applaud the Governor and my colleagues in the legislature for helping to feed nearly 2 million children this year by promoting the Summer EBT program. Additionally, thanks to our collective work during budget negotiations, we secured more than $125 million to supply local food banks and community pantries. Together, we can work to make childhood hunger a thing of the past in the richest state of the richest country in the world, so I invite all families to see if they are eligible for Summer EBT and apply before September 8.”
Assemblymember Grace Lee said, “As families struggle with the rising cost of groceries, Trump and Republicans in Washington are making it harder for families to put food on the table. Summer EBT is a proven program that helps nearly two million New York children get the healthy food they need when school is out. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for her continued leadership in prioritizing programs like this, and I’ll continue fighting alongside the Governor to ensure New Yorkers get the support they need to thrive.”
No Kid Hungry New York Director Rachel Sabella said, “Summertime can be the most challenging time of year for families already struggling to keep up with the shockingly high grocery bills that have become emblematic of the affordability crisis facing our country. Summer EBT provides $120 in grocery benefits for every eligible child in New York to make it easier for families to afford food when their kids are on summer break. We’re grateful to Governor Hochul for championing Summer EBT, now in its third year, and recognizing that families need practical help year-round, including free school meals statewide and an expanded child tax credit. These programs are lifelines, providing families with support as costs continue to rise.”
Literacy in Community Deputy Executive Director Eliana Godoy said, “At LINC, we know that children cannot learn and thrive when their most basic needs are not met. Every day, we work alongside families and communities across New York City, equipping parents and caregivers with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to support their children’s early learning and literacy. But families cannot do this alone. Access to nutritious food is a basic building block of a child’s well-being and a public good that helps create the conditions for children to grow, learn and thrive. Summer EBT strengthens the ecosystem around families by easing the added financial pressure of the summer months and helping parents ensure their children have the nourishment they need. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for recognizing that when we invest in families and build strong systems of support around them, we give every child a stronger foundation for success.”
Eligible children receive Summer EBT food benefits on an EBT card that their families can use just like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Summer EBT food benefits can be used to buy food like fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains and dairy at authorized retail food stores, farmers markets and anywhere else SNAP is accepted.
All eligible households are sent a letter before they receive their benefits. Eligible households who used their Summer EBT card in 2025 receive their benefits on the same card as last year. Children who are new to the program in 2026 or did not spend their 2025 benefit receive a new card. For information on replacement cards, visit the Summer EBT website.
To be eligible, a child must attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program and meet the income requirements for free/reduced-price school meals.
Most children who are eligible – including recipients of SNAP, Public Assistance, or Medicaid – will automatically receive Summer EBT and do not need to apply.
Other eligible families may need to apply to receive benefits for their children.
The benefits are available on Summer EBT food benefits cards for 122 days after the date they were issued. All unused benefits are removed from the card after this time. Recipients should use their benefits soon after they receive them.
In addition to mailing eligibility letters to households before benefits are issued, texting reminders to use benefits after they are issued, and sending texts and emails with other important Summer EBT updates, OTDA is working with school districts, nutrition support advocates, and other community partners across the state to increase public awareness of Summer EBT. OTDA is also working with the State Office of Customer Experience and other state agencies on cross-agency outreach — including promotions on the ny.gov website and at Thruway Authority rest stops, Department of Labor career centers, and statewide Department of Motor Vehicles locations — to meet families where they are and increase public awareness of this important benefit for New York’s families. A variety of outreach materials are available at: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/
To learn more about Summer EBT benefits and eligibility or to apply, visit ny.gov/SummerEBT. Applications for Summer 2026 benefits must be submitted by September 8, 2026.