Time is running out for some New York families to claim a summer food benefit for their kids.
The state’s Summer EBT application window closes on September 8, 2026. Families who apply after that date will be considered for the 2027 program, not this year’s benefit, according to New York’s official Summer EBT portal (summerebt.ny.gov).
Eligible children can receive $120 through the program. It’s a one-time grocery benefit loaded onto an EBT card, not a monthly payment.
Most eligible children do not need to apply. New York says a child is usually enrolled automatically if they:
- Receive SNAP benefits
- Receive Temporary Assistance or cash assistance
- Receive Medicaid
- Were approved by their school for free or reduced-price meals
Families in these situations should not submit a new application. The state specifically tells already-enrolled households not to apply again (summerebt.ny.gov).
Who might still need to apply? A parent or guardian may need to submit an application if their child was not automatically identified for the benefit. To qualify through an application, the child must attend a school that takes part in the National School Lunch Program, and the household income must fall at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
Governor Kathy Hochul’s office said New York has already sent out more than $216 million in Summer EBT assistance to over 1.8 million children this year. The state expects nearly 2 million children to receive close to $240 million total once all 2026 payments go out (governor.ny.gov).
There’s a second deadline families should know about, too. Once Summer EBT funds are issued, they expire 122 days after that date. Any money left on the card after that window closes is removed and cannot be used.
The $120 benefit can be spent like regular SNAP dollars. That means fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains, dairy, and other groceries at SNAP-authorized stores and farmers’ markets.
What should families do now? New York recommends checking eligibility through the state’s official Summer EBT site before applying, since duplicate applications aren’t needed for children already enrolled. The online application must be finished in one sitting — the system does not save partial entries if a family leaves the page before submitting.
It’s worth noting that Summer EBT rules, deadlines, and expiration windows differ by state. Families outside New York should check with their own state’s program for exact dates, since New York’s September 8 deadline applies specifically to this state’s application cycle.
For New York households still unsure whether they need to act, the clock is ticking. Missing the deadline doesn’t end a family’s eligibility for future years, but it does mean waiting until 2027 for this specific benefit.
Sources: New York Summer EBT Portal, Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
