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?

Your family can receive an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card to purchase groceries for your children 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.

In summer 2024, families will receive a one-time benefit of $120 for the summer for each eligible child. Summer EBT benefits are distributed on an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card and can be used at authorized retail locations.

Who is Eligible for Summer EBT 2024?

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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 2024 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 in 2024 (date of birth between July 2, 2005 and August 31, 2018).

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 2024?

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.

You can now check online if your child’s eligibility has been confirmed or if you need to complete an application. Visit the Summer EBT Screener to see if your child will be enrolled automatically. You will need your child’s name and at least one piece of additional information, such as your child’s birthdate or school. (Note: Social security number is not required as there is no citizenship requirement.)

If your child has not been automatically enrolled, the Summer EBT application is now available. The deadline to apply is August 31, 2024.

 

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, 2023 through August 31, 2024.

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Link),
  • Medicaid ( Medicaid must have documentation that your household income is under 185% of the federal poverty level),
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF/cash),
  • Victims of Trafficking, Torture, or Other Serious Crimes (VTTC) cash or food assistance
  • 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.

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

Your child will be automatically enrolled in Summer EBT if they attended an Illinois school operating the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and completed one of the following applications for the 2023-2024 school year:

  • Free or reduced-price meals application
  • Alternative household income application

Visit the Summer EBT Screener to see if your child has already been enrolled automatically. You will need your child’s name and at least one piece of additional information, such as your child’s birthdate or school.

If your child attends an NSLP school but your family did not complete a free or reduced-price meal application (including schools where all meals are served free), they will NOT be automatically enrolled in Summer EBT. 

  • Visit the Summer EBT Screener to see if your child has already been enrolled automatically.
  • The Summer EBT application is now available for children who have not been enrolled automatically.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When will I receive Summer EBT 2024 Benefits and Other FAQs

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

We encourage all families who believe they may be eligible for Summer EBT to verify their eligibility and address through the Summer EBT Screener.

Visit the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)’s online Summer EBT Screener to check whether IDHS has all the information needed to process Summer EBT for your child(ren) without an additional application. The screener will report if 1) enough information is available to process, 2) additional information is needed, or 3) there are too many matches to respond. The screener will also allow you to verify that the address IDHS has on file for your family is correct.

If there are too many matches you can reenter additional answers into the screener (e.g., school and county) or try different versions of names.

If additional information is needed, the site will provide instructions on how to complete a Summer EBT application. The application must be completed by August 31, 2024.

August 31, 2024 is the last day to apply to receive Summer EBT benefits in summer 2024.

In Summer 2024, benefits will be issued starting in August. When benefits are issued, a Notice of Summer EBT Eligibility will be mailed to households that will detail the eligible children, amount and availability of issued benefits. The notice will also provide instructions on how to view your EBT/Link account online.

If your family does not have an active SNAP/cash Link card, benefits will be issued and available to you on August 23, 2024.

If your family already has an active SNAP/cash Link card, benefits will be issued and available to you on the following dates:

Date Available First Letter of Last Name
8/15/2024 A, B, C, D
8/16/2024 E, F, G, H
8/18/2024 I, J, K, L
8/19/2024 M, N, O, P
8/21/2024 Q, R, S, T
8/22/2024 U, V, W, X, Y, Z

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

If your child was enrolled in SNAP or TANF food/cash benefits during the period 7/1/2023 through 8/31/2024 and you have an active Link card, Summer EBT benefits will be loaded onto the food portion of your Link card. If you haven’t used your Link card in the last 60 days, a new card will be mailed to you.

If your child was not enrolled in SNAP/TANF during that period, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) will issue a new card that will be mailed to you.

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 (your school meal application, SNAP, Medicaid, TANF or foster care).

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 their local Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) office to provide an address for card delivery.

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. Note that income cut-offs change on July 1, 2024.

Annual Income Limits for Families through June 30, 2024

  • Household size of 1: $26,973
  • Household size of 2: $36,482
  • Household size of 3: $45,991
  • Household size of 4: $55,500
  • Household size of 5: $65,009
  • Household size of 6: $74,518
  • Household size of 7: $84,027
  • Household size of 8: $93,536

Monthly Income Limits for Families through June 30, 2024

  • Household size of 1: $2,248
  • Household size of 2: $3,041
  • Household size of 3: $3,833
  • Household size of 4: $4,625
  • Household size of 5: $5,418
  • Household size of 6: $6,210
  • Household size of 7: $7,003
  • Household size of 8: $7,795

Annual Income Limits for Families through June 30, 2025

  • Household size of 1: $27,861
  • Household size of 2: $37,814
  • Household size of 3: $47,767
  • Household size of 4: $57,720
  • Household size of 5: $67,673
  • Household size of 6: $77,626
  • Household size of 7: $87,579
  • Household size of 8: $97,532

Monthly Income Limits for Families through June 30, 2025

  • Household size of 1: $2,322
  • Household size of 2: $3,152
  • Household size of 3: $3,981
  • Household size of 4: $4,810
  • Household size of 5: $5,640
  • Household size of 6: $6,469
  • Household size of 7: $7,299
  • Household size of 8: $8,128

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 at the farmers' market for more details.

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

Find a list of authorized retailers.

Find a list of participating farmers’ markets 

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

Yes. 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 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 2023-2024 school year, you should contact your prior state to determine eligibility for Summer EBT in 2024.

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.

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.

Yes. You can receive Summer EBT for children even if your kids are getting free meals at school, camp or other places this summer.

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 ProtectingImmigrantFamiliesillinois.org for information about what public benefits impact the public charge test.

You can find all summer meals sites online. You can also text FOOD to 304-304.

If you reside in Chicago or Cook County, visit our map to find a food pantry or program near you.

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).

Not necessarily. Some families who received P-EBT will have to apply. You can check online to find out whether your child’s eligibility has been confirmed through another program or whether you need to complete an application.

The eligibility rules are different for Summer EBT, including age requirements and the eligibility rules for homeschooled children.

The enrollment process is different for Summer EBT. There are several ways to demonstrate income eligibility and enroll in Summer EBT.

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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