Families receiving SNAP benefits are those most in need who require a little financial support to make ends meet. The food stamps program, which are paid through EBT cards, are designed to cover a substantial part of the income necessary for all members to be away from suffering food risk.
During the summer, the summer SNAP benefits are an important incentive for those families with economically dependent minor children. We are going to explain below what are the two ways to qualify for these extra SNAP benefits, which will be available during the summer months.
There are two ways children can be considered eligible to receive benefits through the Summer EBT Program, which is scheduled to begin in summer 2024. The first way is through automatic issuance, while the second is through an application for the Summer EBT. Below, I detail these avenues along with frequently asked questions.
Way One: Automatic Qualification
Most children eligible for Summer EBT SNAP benefits will receive them automatically, without the need to complete a Summer EBT application. Eligibility information comes from schools and other sources to provide benefits automatically. This is known as simplified certification. This is the way for the following children:
Children certified as eligible for free or reduced price meals through a school meals application, including those automatically certified as categorically eligible.
Children who attend schools with special provisions (Community Eligibility Provision, Provision 2 or 3) and are certified as eligible for free or reduced-price school meals, including those who completed a school meals application for a Provision 2 or 3 base year, or an “alternative form” documenting that their household income meets the eligibility requirements.
Learn More: How to Use Your EBT Card to Purchase Groceries Online
Categorical Eligibility and Direct Certification
Children in households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and the Indian Reservation Food Distribution Program, as well as those who are homeless, migrant, in foster care, or participating in Head Start, are “categorically eligible” (automatically eligible) for free school meals and can be certified without submitting a school meal application.
States and school districts are required to “directly certify” children in SNAP participating households for free school meals by comparing SNAP records with school enrollment lists. They also have the option of directly certifying other eligible children categorically, using Medicaid income information in some cases.
Way Two: A Particular Application
Eligible children who do not qualify for automatic issuance can still receive benefits through an application. States are required to establish a state application for the Summer EBT starting in 2025, but are encouraged to develop one by 2024.
A school meals application can be used to qualify students for the Summer EBT, and completing it after June 30th will allow the child to be certified for free or reduced price school meals in the next school year, in addition to receiving Summer EBT benefits. Children who will need to complete an application to receive Summer EBT benefits include:
Children who did not fill out a school meals application during the school year, but are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals and attended a school that participated in NSLP or SBP during the previous school year.
Children who become eligible again during the summer for free or reduced-price school meals and attended a school that participated in NSLP or SBP during the previous school year.
Children who attend a special provision school (Community Eligibility Provision, Provision 2 or 3) and have not been certified for free or reduced price school meals, or have not completed an alternative income form (in 2024).
The applications will be available online in your children’s school district website, and if not, you might get in touch with them to find out how to apply. f you want to apply in person, take a look at the summer meal site locator to find the one nearest you.
You can also send “Summer Meals”, via SMS text, to 914-342-7744 or call 1-866-348-6479 to find a site near you. For more information, visit the Summer EBT website.