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 a debit card to purchase groceries for your children during the summer when school is out.

Summer EBT provides eligible families with a monthly grocery benefit to feed their 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 stores.

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 school 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.

Citizenship Requirement:

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

Age Requirement:

If your child is enrolled in 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 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Link), Income Eligible Medicaid (free and reduced-price eligible), Temporary Assistance for Need Families (TANF/cash) or Youth in Care/foster care, and your child is not enrolled in a school operating the National School Lunch Program, they must meet Illinois’ compulsory school age (age 6 to 17).

How Do I Sign Up for Summer EBT 2024?

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

1. Through participation in a qualifying program:

Your family is automatically enrolled in Summer EBT if your child is enrolled in one of the following programs. You do not need to apply, but you should verify that your address on file is accurate with the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Link),
  • Income Eligible Medicaid (free and reduced-price eligible),
  • Temporary Assistance for Need Families (TANF/cash),
  • OR Youth in Care/foster care

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

  • If your child attends an NSLP school and your child has a completed application for free or reduced-price school meals, you do not need to complete an additional application. Make sure that the address on file with your school is up to date.
  • If your child attends an NSLP school and your child qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals but your family has not completed an application, contact your school as soon as possible to complete a free or reduced-price meal application and make sure your address is up to date. You will be asked to self-report your income. You will not be required to provide proof of income when you first apply.
  • If your child attends an NSLP school where all meals are served free, contact your school as soon as possible to complete an Alternative Household Income application and make sure your address is up to date. You will be asked to self-report your income. You will not be required to provide proof of income when you first apply.

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.

Summer EBT 2024 benefits will be issued in one installment in late summer.

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

If your child is enrolled in SNAP, Summer EBT benefits will be loaded onto your Link card.

If your child is not enrolled in SNAP, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) will issue a card that will be mailed to you in an unmarked envelope.

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 will 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

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 free or reduced-price school meal/Summer EBT application, SNAP, Medicaid, TANF or foster care).

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 to report your change of address or call the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) state toll-free line at 800-843-6154.
  • 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.

Summer EBT benefits can be redeemed at authorized retail stores. Find a list of authorized retailers.

Yes. Summer EBT benefits must be used within 120 days of issuance.

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.

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.

Beginning in May, 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).

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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