OTDA Home Programs & Services Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Verification
Summer EBT Income Verification Process
Each year, OTDA must verify the income eligibility of some households that submit applications for Summer EBT or complaint Alternate Income Forms from school districts before they can receive benefits. Households that automatically receive benefits without applying are exempt from this income verification process.
Households required to provide proof of income will be notified via the email address provided on their application. The email will let them know what documentation must be uploaded within 10 business days from the date of notice.
To be considered income-eligible for Summer EBT, a household's gross annual income must fall at or below the gross annual income limit for their household size.
Documentation Needed
Applicants should be prepared to provide proof of income for any one month between July 1, 2024, and the date they received their verification notice. You must provide proof of income for anyone with income in your household by providing one of the following:
- Wages
- Weekly income — pay stubs for four consecutive pay periods.
- Bi-weekly/monthly income — pay stubs for two consecutive pay periods.
- A letter from an employer stating the amount earned in one month with the dates the income was earned.
- Self-employment income:
- Organized business records such as income receipts, expense receipts, tax records, or signed statements from person(s) for whom work has been performed and payment made.
- U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (Form 1040) filed for 2024.
- Complete the 2025 Verification Self-Employment Income form.
- Households with no income must complete the 2025 Summer EBT Certification of Zero Income form.
If the child or the parent/guardian was approved for Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance (TA), after the application was submitted, they need to call the Summer EBT Customer Service Helpline, at 1-833-452-0096, and provide their case number, application number, and specify it is for Summer EBT verification.
Households that have uploaded the requested documentation to the verification portal will receive an email with the application decision and, if eligible, information on when the child's Summer EBT benefit will be issued.