The Peru Gazette

$120 Per Child Going to Eligible Families Through 2026 Summer EBT Program

Summer EBT Benefits Expire 122 Days After Being Issued, Recipients Should Use Their Benefits Soon After They Receive Them

Albany, (July 1, 2026) = Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that nearly 1.6 million low-income children have already received summer food assistance totaling $189 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 food during the summer, when students lose access to free school meals.

“Making sure every young person has the nourishment they need to thrive is central to my fight to invest in our children’s future and make life more affordable for New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “At a time when vital nutrition programs like SNAP face continued attacks in Washington, Summer EBT puts money back in the pockets of New York’s working families, helping them afford to buy healthy food during the summer months when schools are out of session and many children lose access to free school meals.”

Summer EBT benefits began being issued in mid-June and will continue to be sent to families through the summer and to the end of the year. When completed, approximately $240 million in food assistance is expected to be issued to an estimated 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 necessary, before the September 8 deadline.

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 been laser-focused on protecting the dollars that New Yorkers depend on and ensuring they can access resources necessary to uplift them and their families.

Governor Hochul secured $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. Governor Hochul also secured $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.

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 found that Summer EBT decreased the number of kids with very low food security by one-third.