Summer EBT Card Mailer

IMPORTANT: Your family is receiving this Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) food benefits card to access your child's Summer EBT food benefits. Please keep this card for any future benefits your child may receive.

Why is my child getting these benefits?

Your child is eligible for a new program called Summer EBT, which helps families buy food during the summer when school is out. The child named on this Summer EBT food benefits card is eligible for and receiving these benefits because they qualify for free/reduced price school meals at school. To learn more about Summer EBT benefits, visit. otda.ny.gov/SummerEBT.

Do Summer EBT food benefits expire?

Yes. Summer EBT food benefits will remain available on the food benefits card for 122 days from the date they were deposited into your Summer EBT account. After 122 days, all remaining unspent funds will be removed from the card (expunged). These funds cannot be returned to you. Please use your benefits soon after you receive them.

How much will my child get?

Visit otda.ny.gov/SummerEBT for information regarding annual Summer EBT benefits amounts.

To use your child's Summer EBT food benefits card you must select a Personal Identification Number (PIN) over the phone by calling the EBT customer service helpline at 1-888-328-6399 and following these steps:

• Choose a language
• Enter the 19-digit number on the front of the P-EBT food benefits card
• Press 1 to create your PIN
• You will be asked for the last 4 digits of the cardholder's Social Security Number (SSN). Do NOT enter the child's SSN. Instead, enter the 4-digit month and day (MM/DD) of the child's BIRTHDAY. For example, if the child's birthday is July 4, enter “0704”.
• Enter your zip code
• Enter your new 4-digit PIN

Complete instructions can be found at: Summer EBT Card Pin Activation

What do I need to know about using my child's Summer EBT food benefits card?

• Check your Summer EBT food benefits balance by calling the EBT helpline at 1-888-328-6399.
• After you have successfully selected a PIN for your card, you can create an online account by visiting www.ebtEdge.com. This account can be used to check the balance, lock your card to purchases when not in use, order a new card and other related services.
• You may use your Summer EBT food benefits to purchase the same allowable food items as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). A detailed list of food items that may be purchased can be found at http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligible-food-items/.
• You can use the Summer EBT food benefits card at any participating SNAP retailer, including grocery stores, farmers markets, and online retailers.
• There are no fees for using your Summer EBT food benefits, and you may use the card as many times as you need to until all the benefits have been spent. Remember to use all of your benefits within 122 days of when they were issued.

What if I do not want or need the Summer EBT food benefits?

If you do not want to use these benefits to buy food, do not use the card and the benefits will automatically expire in 122 days. You can also destroy the card by cutting through the magnetic strip and putting in the garbage (you will need to request a replacement card if you want to access any future benefits). You can also call the Summer EBT helpline at 1-833-452-0096 and request to be removed (opt-out) from the program.

Questions:

If you have questions about your Summer EBT benefits, visit otda.ny.gov/SummerEBT.