Food & Medical Benefits

Get Help Buying Food for Your Kids This Summer with Summer EBT

Summer EBT for children helps families afford groceries and meals while their kids are out of school.

What is Summer EBT for Children? How does Summer EBT work?

Summer EBT provides families with school-aged children with an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card to purchase groceries during the summer when school is out.

Summer EBT, also known as SUN Bucks, provides families with a monthly grocery benefit to feed their eligible children during summer months (June, July and August) when kids are not receiving free or reduced-price meals at school.

Families receive a one-time benefit of $120 for the summer for each eligible child. Benefits are distributed on an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card and can be used at authorized retail locations, including some farmers’ markets.

Who is Eligible for Summer EBT 2025?

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Income Requirement:

Families must meet the household income requirements for free or reduced-price meals. This means that your household has a total household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. There are several ways to demonstrate eligible or apply for Summer EBT for children.

Age Requirement:

If your child qualifies for Summer EBT through an application on file with a school operating the National School Lunch Program, they do not have an additional age requirement.

If your child qualifies for Summer EBT through participation in another qualifying program (SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, VTTC, and/or Youth in Care/foster care) and your child does not have a completed application on file with a school operating the National School Lunch Program, they must meet Illinois’s compulsory school age to receive Summer EBT benefits (for summer 2025,date of birth between July 2, 2005 and August 31, 2019).

Citizenship Requirement:

There is no citizenship requirement. Summer EBT will not be considered under the public charge rule.

How Do I Sign Up for Summer EBT 2025?

Many eligible families will be automatically enrolled in Summer EBT based on their participation in another qualifying program. Some families will need to complete a Summer EBT application.

Check Whether You Need to Apply for Summer EBT

Visit the online Summer EBT Screener to check whether you need to apply for Summer EBT or whether your child’s eligibility has already been confirmed through their participation in another program. You can also confirm whether your address is correct to make sure that you receive a Summer EBT card.

After you complete the screener, if you need to complete an application, you can also apply for Summer EBT online.

COMPLETE THE SUMMER EBT SCREENER.

Your Child May Be Automatically Enrolled

Many eligible families will be automatically enrolled in Summer EBT based on their participation in a qualifying program. There are two main pathways to qualify for Summer EBT through participation in a qualifying program.

 

There are two main pathways to sign up for Summer EBT for children.

1. Through participation in a qualifying program:

Your child is automatically enrolled in Summer EBT if your child is enrolled in one of the following programs at any point from July 1, 2024 through August 13, 2025.

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Link)
  • Income Eligible Medicaid (Medicaid must have documentation that your household income is under 185% of the federal poverty level)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF/cash)
  • Youth in Care/foster care

If you have an active SNAP/Link card, benefits will be automatically loaded to your card.

If you don’t have an active SNAP/Link card, an EBT card will be mailed to you, so make sure that your address on file with the program is up-to-date. Check your address on file using the Summer EBT Screener. You can update your address online or by calling the Summer EBT Hotline at 1-833-621-0737 or using the Summer EBT General Inquiry Request.

2. Through a school that operates the National School Lunch Program (NSLP):

Your child will be automatically enrolled in Summer EBT if:

If you don’t have an active SNAP/Link card, an EBT card will be mailed to you, so make sure that your address on file with the program is up-to-date. Check your address on file using the Summer EBT Screener. You can update your address online or by calling the Summer EBT Hotline at 1-833-621-0737 or using the Summer EBT General Inquiry Request.

Your child will NOT be automatically enrolled in Summer EBT through their school if:

  • They attended an NSLP school where all meals are served free, sometimes called a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school; OR,
  • They attended an NSLP school that requires individual school meal applications but your family did not complete an application for free or reduced-price meals for the 2024-2025 school year.

Visit the Summer EBT Screener to complete a Summer EBT application.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When will I receive Summer EBT 2025 Benefits and Other FAQs

Get answers to your questions about Summer EBT for children in Illinois below.

Visit the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) online Summer EBT Portal . You can complete a screener to check whether you need to apply for Summer EBT or whether your child’s eligibility has already been confirmed through their participation in another program.

To use the screener, you will need to enter your child’s name and at least one piece of additional information:

  • Date of Birth;
  • Social Security Number; or,
  • School District

After you complete the screener in the Summer EBT Portal, if you need to complete an application, you can apply for Summer EBT online. Households may be asked to verify their gross income is at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Line.

You can also submit a paper application. Applications for Summer EBT can also be mailed to the IDHS Central Scan Unit (CSU), P.O. Box 19138, Springfield, IL 62794 or submitted in person, mail, or fax to the local Family Community Resource Center (FCRC). Find the closest FCRC.

Once the Summer EBT application has been processed, a Notice of Summer EBT Application Notice of Eligibility will be sent to you. The notice will include the child(ren) that are eligible, the child(ren) that are ineligible, the reason for the eligibility decision, information on accessing benefits, and information on filing an appeal.

August 31, 2025 is the last day to apply to receive Summer EBT benefits in summer 2025.

Summer EBT benefit issuances are planned for May 19-26, 2025 for children who are automatically enrolled in Summer EBT.

If you apply for Summer EBT using the online screener, benefits will be issued after your application is processed.

Your family will receive a one-time benefit of $120 for each eligible child to purchase groceries.

Yes, Summer EBT benefits do expire. Summer EBT benefits must be used within 122 days of issuance, or when benefits are loaded onto the card.

If your family also receives SNAP benefits on your Link card, Summer EBT benefits will be used first when you shop for food because Summer EBT benefits expire.

If your child was enrolled in SNAP (Link food) or TANF (Link cash) benefits at any point during the period July 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025 and your family has an active Link card, Summer EBT benefits will be loaded onto the food portion of your Link card.

If your Link card is no longer active or you never had a Link card, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) will issue a new card that will be mailed to you.

If you have more than one child eligible for Summer EBT, how you receive benefits will depend on how your children’s eligibility is determined.

  • If your children qualify through their participation in a qualifying program like SNAP (Link food) or TANF (Link cash) and your household has an existing Link card, benefits for all qualifying children under your household will be uploaded to your household’s Link card.
  • If a household can not be verified for a child, Summer EBT benefits may be issued on separate Link cards in each child’s name.

Households that are determined eligible for Summer EBT will receive an Initial Notice of Eligibility for Summer EBT Benefits. These notices will include the child(ren) that are eligible for Summer EBT and information on accessing benefits.

Cards will be mailed to the address that the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has on file for you. The address on file will be the address associated with the program that was used to determine your child’s eligibility for Summer EBT (school meal application, SNAP, Medicaid, TANF or foster care). You can use the Summer EBT Screener to confirm that IDHS has the correct address for you.

If the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) does not have a current mailing address for your household, you will receive an Initial Notice of Eligibility for Summer EBT Benefits with instructions on how to report a mailing address. Summer EBT benefits cannot be issued until a valid mailing address is on file.

Check your address on file using the Summer EBT Screener. You can update your address online or by calling the Summer EBT Hotline at 1-833-621-0737 or using the Summer EBT General Inquiry Request. 

You should also update your address with the program that was used to determine your child's eligibility for Summer EBT.

  • If your child is enrolled in SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF: use ABE Manage My Case (MMC) to report your change of address.
  • If your child is enrolled in free or reduced-price school meals: Contact your school to update your address.

Families can work with their local school or Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) to provide an address for card delivery. Find the closest FCRC.

To access your Illinois Summer EBT Link account, visit the Illinois Link Card Website or call 1-800-678-LINK (5465).

To login, use your personalized log-in instructions found on your Summer EBT eligibility letter.

If you do not have access to your personalized Summer EBT eligibility letter, you may log in with:

  • The head of household’s Social Security number and date of birth; or,
  • Your child’s Social Security number and date of birth.

If you are still having trouble, please call the Summer EBT hotline at 1-833-621-0737.

If you lose your Summer EBT/Link card, you should immediately report it as lost. There are several ways to report your Link card lost or stolen:

  • Call the number on the back of your Link card: 1-800-678-LINK (5465)
  • Use the ebtEDGE app

If you do not have the ebtEdge app, learn how to register for an account.

If your household receives other benefits on your Link card, such as SNAP (Link food) or TANF (Link cash), your card will remain active even after Summer EBT benefits have been used up or your Summer EBT benefits expire.

If your household only receives Summer EBT on your Link card and does not receive SNAP or TANF, your card will become inactive after your Summer EBT benefits have been used up or your Summer EBT benefits expire. You will be mailed a new Link card for Summer EBT if your child qualifies in future years.

If your family applies for SNAP/food, TANF/cash, and/or Income Eligible Medicaid before August 31, 2025 AND is found eligible, children in your household will automatically be enrolled in Summer EBT without the need to complete a Summer EBT application.

Learn more about qualifying programs and how to apply in the “Who Is Eligible” section above.

No, the Cash and Food Assistance for Non-Citizen Victims of Trafficking, Torture, or Other Serious Crimes (VTTC) program is not a qualifying program this year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture did not approve VTTC as a qualifying program.

No, a school’s alternative household income form is not a qualifying way to demonstrate eligibility for Summer EBT this year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture did not approve the alternative household income form as a qualifying way to demonstrate eligibility.

If your family is enrolled in SNAP, TANF, or Income Eligible Medicaid in Illinois and you have a school-aged child, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) will automatically enroll you in Summer EBT.

If your family is NOT enrolled in SNAP, TANF, or Income Eligible Medicaid in Illinois and you moved to Illinois after the end of the 2024-2025 school year, you should contact your prior state to determine eligibility for Summer EBT in 2025.

You should only receive Summer EBT benefits from one state each year. If you accidentally receive benefits from more than one state, you should only use the benefits from the state where your child completed the prior school year.

Summer EBT benefits are used like SNAP benefits.

Customers can use their EBT card at a SNAP authorized retailer to purchase SNAP-eligible items. Once you swipe or enter your card number, select EBT as the form of payment and the food/SNAP portion of the account.

Like SNAP, customers can use Summer EBT benefits to shop online for pickup or delivery at participating stores.

Customers can also use their EBT card at participating farmers’ markets. EBT cards may operate differently at farmers’ markets or farm stands. Visit the information booth for more details.

Summer EBT benefits can be redeemed at authorized retail locations, including some farmers’ markets.

Summer EBT benefits can be used to purchase SNAP-eligible items. Find a list of SNAP eligible food-items.

Yes. You can get Summer EBT even if your child is getting free meals at school, camp or other places this summer.

Visit our summer meals page to learn more about the Summer Food Service Program.

There are a couple ways to find a summer meal program near you.

The Summer Meals Site Finder map on our summer meals page will go live in May for the summer period. Additional sites may be added throughout the summer.

Families can also contact the USDA National Hunger Hotline, operated by Hunger Free America. The hotline can be reached Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) (for English) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) (for Spanish).

No. It is important to know that Summer EBT will not count in a public charge test. All students are eligible regardless of immigration status. Visit ProtectingImmigrantFamilies.org for information about what public benefits impact the public charge test.

You can “opt out” of the program by calling the Summer EBT hotline at 1-833-621-0737 or using the Summer EBT General Inquiry Request.

The Illinois State Board of Education has posted a list of NSLP participating schools.

To be eligible, your family must have income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. Check your annual or monthly household income against the charts below.

Maximum Gross Income by Household Size
(July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025)

Persons Monthly Income (First Column)

Household Annual Income (Second Column)

  1. $2,322 - $27,861
  2. $3,152 - $37,814
  3. $3,981 - $47,767
  4. $4,810 - $57,720
  5. $5,640 - $67,673
  6. $6,469 - $77,626
  7. $7,299 - $87,579
  8. $8,128 - $97,532

Please visit the Illinois Department of Human Services Summer EBT page for more information.

Need Additional Support Providing Food For Your Family? We Can Help!

If you or your family live in Chicago or Cook County and need food or medical benefits, the Food Depository and our network of local food pantries and programs is here to help.

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