Summer EBT/SUN Bucks [New York] Launches New Program to Improve Food Access for Kids During Summer Break

In summer 2024, New York will launch Summer EBT/SUN Bucks, a new grocery benefits program that provides families $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out. Summer is a time when many children lose the free and reduced-price meals they get at school, and when households might need a little extra help putting meals on the table. Most families will get these benefits automatically, but some parents will need to apply.

Summer EBT benefits can be used just like SNAP benefits to buy food at grocery stores, farmers' markets, and other SNAP-authorized retailers.

Summer EBT food benefits will not be issued before July 2024. New York State is still working to finalize a timeline for when benefits will be issued. Eligible children will receive benefits at different times, depending on whether they attend public or private school, and whether they receive benefits automatically or if they are determined eligible through an application. Once benefits are issued, families will have 122 days from the date they are issued to use the benefits. All unused benefits expire after 122 days.

Benefits of  Summer EBT/SUN Bucks: 

• Helps parents and caregivers buy healthy foods for their children.
• Gives families the flexibility to select foods that fit their culture and lifestyle.
• Improves food security and diet quality for participating children.

Eligibility:

Children are eligible for the program if: 

• the household already participates in SNAP, FDPIR, TANF, etc. OR
• the child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program and the household income meets the requirements for free or reduced-price school meals.

Enrollment: 

Many families will get Summer EBT/SUN Bucks automatically if they are getting other benefits, but some families may need to apply.

• If the household already participates in SNAP, FDPIR, TANF, etc. they will be automatically enrolled in the Summer EBT/SUN Bucks program. Households do not need to fill out an application.
• If the household is not automatically enrolled and may be eligible, they can get Summer EBT/SUN Bucks by filling out a simple application.

To learn more about filling out an application, contact https://otda.ny.gov/programs/summer-ebt/. Online applications will be available by July 1,2024, and the link and instructions will be posted on this webpage. 

How Summer EBT/SUN Bucks Works:  

The benefits will be added to an EBT card, provided on a separate EBT card, etc.and can be used to buy groceries. Families will receive $120 per eligible child for the summer. Benefits can be used at authorized retailers, like grocery stores and farmers markets, to purchase healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, meats and other protein sources, whole grains, and dairy. 

Click here to learn more https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer.

Help Families in Your Community:

• Spread the word to families in your community! Let households know about the new Summer EBT/SUN Bucks program. 

• Encourage families who receive benefits through SNAP, FDPIR, TANF, etc.to make sure their mailing address is up to date. 

• Tell families who are automatically enrolled to watch for their card in the mail; or watch for the balance increase on their existing card. 

•  Inform households that immigrant and non-U.S. citizens are eligible for Summer EBT/SUN Bucks. Participation does not impact immigration status. 

• Alert families to fill out an application here: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/summer-ebt/

Children and teens need healthy food year-round to play, grow, and learn. Summer EBT/SUN Bucks will help families stretch their grocery budget during the summer and provide their children with the nutrition they need to thrive. Visit [insert website] to learn more about this exciting new program. Together, we can make summer brighter for our children

The Summer EBT Customer Service Helpline is 1-833-452-0096.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1.         mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2.         fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3.         email:
program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal-opportunity provider

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