NEW YORK — More than 1.5 million children in New York State will be receiving additional food assistance from New York State.
The program, which is part of the state's new Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program, will send $120 per child to eligible families to help pay for healthy meals.
“Having access to healthy, nutritious food is essential for children’s health and well-being,” Governor Hochul said. “As New York continues putting money back in the pockets of working families, we’ve already begun sending food assistance to more than 1.5 million kids – and we’re going to keep delivering these benefits to more families in need.”
To receive Summer EBT food benefits automatically:
- A child must receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and/or Temporary Assistance (cash) benefits, or be directly certified for free meals through Medicaid, OR
- A child must be determined eligible for free/reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program by their school.*
If the child does not receive SNAP benefits or is eligible for free/reduced lunch at school, but qualifies under the income guidelines, they can apply here: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/summer-ebt/. The last day to apply for the benefit is September 3, 2024.
The Summer EBt program is federally funded. Its goal is to address the issue of food insecurity for children from low-income families.
“This new program will help us fight food insecurity and hunger among school-aged children in New York by ensuring that students whose families rely on free or reduced-price school meals during the school year continue to have access to healthy, nutritious food when school is out during the summer. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for her commitment to enable New York to join Summer EBT and for recognizing the impact the program will have for low-income students and their families," New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said.
“No child should ever go hungry, which is why I fought to secure federal funding for the Summer EBT program. Summer is often the time of year when food insecurity is highest for children and this assistance for families comes just in the nick of time for New Yorkers. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s work ensuring that federal dollars are being put to good use addressing food insecurity and helping feed children across New York State," said US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
The money will be sent in the coming weeks, with some families already receiving the benefit.
Just last week, the governor's office announced more than 1 million families across New York State will be getting a supplemental payment of up to $330 per child through the Empire State Child Credit.
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