New York State has delivered $189 million in summer food assistance to nearly 1.6 million low-income children, Governor Kathy Hochul announced on July 1, through the federally funded 2026 Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program. When fully disbursed, the state expects the program to reach an estimated 2 million school-aged children with roughly $240 million total, according to Hochul’s press office.

The program puts $120 per child onto an EBT card that works exactly like SNAP at authorized grocery stores and farmers markets. Most eligible families, including those already receiving SNAP, Public Assistance, or Medicaid, get the money automatically and do not need to do anything. Families who are not automatically enrolled have until September 8, 2026 to apply at ny.gov/SummerEBT, per the announcement.

The $120 expires 122 days after it is issued. Any unused balance is wiped from the card after that window closes, so families should spend the benefits soon after the card arrives, Hochul’s office said.