No Kid Hungry New York is reminding families across the state to check their Summer EBT accounts and use any remaining benefits before they begin expiring on Friday. Summer EBT benefits, which help eligible families cover the cost of groceries during the summer months, are time-limited and expire 122 days after they were issued. For many families who received their funds in June, the final day to use them will be October 17. After that date, any unused balance will automatically expire and cannot be replaced. The NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, which administers Summer EBT in New York, provides a website where families can check their Summer EBT balances and expiration dates.
“Summer EBT benefits are a lifeline for families that need a little extra support to feed their kids in the summer months,” said Rachel Sabella, Director of No Kid Hungry New York. “With benefits set to expire starting this week, it’s critical that families can make the most of every dollar to keep kids nourished and thriving. I encourage every family to double-check their card today and use the rest of these funds before they disappear.”
Summer EBT is a federal program administered by the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance that provides eligible families with school-age children up to $120 per child to buy groceries during the months when school meals aren’t available. However, these benefits are time-limited and expire 122 days after they were issued. Families can check their issuance date and balance through the ebtEDGE portal or app, or by calling 1-888-328-6399. The Summer EBT Helpline at 1-833-452-0096 can also confirm expiration details.
These benefits provide critical support to New York families, especially during an ongoing hunger and food affordability crisis. Earlier this year, No Kid Hungry New York issued a poll, which showed that 86 percent of New York households said the cost of food was rising faster than their income. Fifty-three percent of New Yorkers also reported that their debt has increased in the past year due to the cost of food.
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