2024 Summer EBT
Parent/Guardian Frequently Asked Questions
2023-2024 School Year
What is Summer EBT
1. What is Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT)?
• Summer EBT is a federally funded program that provides grocery-
buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children
when schools are closed for the summer as a supplement to
summer meal sites. This may include students in Head Start and/or
Great Start Readiness Program. The Summer-EBT program is also
known federally as Sun Bucks.
Eligibility
1. How do I know if my student qualifies for Summer EBT?
• Your household participates in state assistance (FAP, TANF (cash
assistance), FDPIR, or Medicaid*).
o *Children on Medicaid with a household income at or below
185% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible.
• Students of any age that attend a school that participates in the
National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program may
be eligible if they are:
o Categorically eligible (Homeless, runaway, migrant, etc.).
o Approved for Free/Reduced priced lunch at school.
2. How do I know if my child’s school participates in the National
School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program?
• Search for your child’s school on the NSLP-SBP Participation List
3. Some schools/districts qualify for a Community Eligibility
Provision (CEP), and all students receive free meals at school,
regardless of income. Are those students eligible for Summer
EBT?
• Students attending CEP schools/districts are not automatically
eligible for Summer EBT. These students that are not receiving
state assistance or categorically eligible must complete the
Education Benefits Form and return to their school for processing.
4. Are children who are not enrolled in a school that participates in
the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program
eligible for Summer EBT?
• Students aged 6-18 that do not attend a school that participates in
the National School Lunch Program/School Breakfast Program may
be eligible if they are:
o Receiving state assistance (FAP, TANF (cash assistance),
FDPIR, or Medicaid* (if applicable))
▫ *Children on Medicaid with a household income at or
below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible.
• Children who are not enrolled in a NSLP/SBP participating schools
cannot establish their Summer EBT eligibility by filling out an
application.
5. Do Early College students qualify for Summer EBT?
• Yes, if they meet the eligibility guidelines listed above.
6. Do Early Childhood (Head Start or GSRP) students qualify for
Summer EBT?
• Yes, if they meet the eligibility guidelines listed above.
7. Do I need to apply for Summer EBT?
• Students who have already completed a School Meals and Summer
EBT Application or Education Benefits Form (for CEP schools) and
received an approval for free or reduced meals do not need to apply
for Summer EBT.
• Students also do not need to apply if they are receiving state
assistance (FAP, TANF (cash assistance), FDPIR, or Medicaid (if
applicable)).
• All other students will need to contact their school to complete the
School Meals and Summer EBT Application or the Education
Benefits Form (for CEP schools).
• If your student is homeschooled or does not attend a school that
collects the School Meals and Summer EBT application or the
Education Benefits Form (for CEP schools), please visit the DHHS
Summer EBT website for information on how to apply for Summer
EBT.
Benefits and Payment Information
1. When will my student receive Summer EBT benefits?
• We anticipate the first benefit cycle to begin in July.
2. How will I receive Summer EBT benefits?
• Any eligible student on an active FAP or TANF (cash assistance)
case will receive their Summer EBT benefits on the EBT/Bridge card
attached to that case.
• Any eligible student approved for Medicaid where household income
does not exceed 185% of the Federal Poverty Level will receive
their benefits on a Summer EBT card in the Head of Household’s
name. Benefits for all eligible students in that household will be on
one card.
• All other eligible students will receive a new Summer EBT card in
the mail. A separate card will be sent for each eligible student.
3. What address will the card be sent to?
• If a student is active on a FAP or TANF (cash assistance) case with
MDHHS, the address associated with their FAP or TANF case will be
used.
• For students on Medicaid (MA) but not FAP, the address associated
with their Medicaid case will be used.
• For all other students, the address reported in the state school
database will be used.
o If a mailing address is available in the state school
database, that will be used.
o If no mailing address is available in the state school
database, then the physical address will be used.
4. If parents do not live together, which household receives the
Summer EBT benefits?
• If your student is active for FAP or TANF (cash assistance) with
MDHHS the Summer EBT benefits will be issued to the Bridge Card
associated with the active case.
• If there is no active FAP or TANF (cash assistance) case but the
student has an active Medicaid case with MDHHS, the Summer EBT
benefits will be issued on a new Summer EBT card and mailed to
the address of the active Medicaid case.
• If the student has no active MDHHS case, a new Summer EBT card
will be sent to the address that is currently on file with the students
school.
5. What months does the Summer EBT program cover?
• June 2024 through August 2024
6. How much will each student receive?
• For 2024, Summer EBT benefits will be issued in the amount of $40
per summer month, or $120 total.
7. How can I check my Summer EBT card balance or activity?
• Create a profile at www.ebtedge.com
• Call the EBT customer service number (888) 678-8914
8. How long do I have to use my Summer EBT benefits?
• USDA rules state that any unused Summer EBT benefits will be
removed from the card 122 days after issuance.
9. Will I receive a new Summer EBT card if I previously received a
Pandemic EBT card?
• Any eligible student on an active FAP or TANF case will receive their
Summer EBT benefits on the EBT/Bridge card attached to that
case.
• Any eligible student approved for Medicaid where household income
does not exceed 185% of the Federal Poverty Level will receive
their benefits on a Summer EBT card in the Head of Household’s
name. Benefits for all eligible students in that household will be on
one card.
• All other eligible students with receive a new Summer EBT card in
the mail. A separate card will be sent for each eligible student.
10. How do I activate the Summer EBT card?
• Visit www.ebtedge.com
o This option will also allow you to verify deposits, see
transactions and check your balance quickly.
o On the left-hand side of the webpage click “Cardholder
Login”.
o Next to “First time logging in” click “Register Here”.
o Enter required information and click “Register”.
o Once registered, follow the prompts to setup challenge
questions and click “Add”.
o At this point you will be prompted to link your EBT card to
your account. Click “Add Account” and follow prompts.
o On the Welcome page, select the EBT card.
o Click on “Pin Select” and enter the required information and
selected 4-digit Pin.
o Click “Save”.
• Or call the number on the back of the card – (888) 678-8914
o The first choice is language.
▪ 1 for English
▪ 2 for Spanish
▪ 3 for Arabic
o The second choice is program.
▪ 1 for Food Stamps and Cash
o Enter the 16-digit card number from the front of the card.
o Enter the birthdate of the student whose name is on the
card.
o Enter “0000” (four zeroes) for the last four of the social
security number when prompted.
o Choose 4-digit Pin (any 4 numbers you choose) and enter.
o Enter your 4-digit Pin again to confirm, card is now active.
11. How do I use my Summer EBT card? What can I buy? Where can
I use my Summer EBT card?
• The Summer EBT card is used the same way as a traditional EBT
card or “Bridge Card”.
• Please visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/FAP/eligible-food-items for
more information.
12. I lost my Summer EBT card. How do I get a replacement?
• Contact EBT customer service toll-free at (888) 678-8914. They are
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Your replacement card will be mailed within 3 to 5 business days.
• You will not have to activate this card.
• The PIN you used on your old card will work with your new card.
• Once you order a replacement card, your old card will no longer
work.
13. I received a card for a student that is not in my home. What
should I do?
• Mark the envelope as “Return to Sender- Not at this Address”.
• Close securely and return.
Address Help
1. Can I have my card sent somewhere else?
• No. When a card is mailed, it will be mailed to the students
FAP/Medicaid case address, or the address the school provided.
2. Can cards be sent to P.O. boxes?
• Yes, if the P.O. box is the listed address for the student.
3. I set up mail forwarding with the Post Office. Will I receive my
Summer EBT card?
• No. The Summer EBT card will not be forwarded.
4. What should I do if I move to a new address?
• Update your address at the school (both in the office and with food
services) and with MDHHS if you have an active case.
5. Is there a deadline to update my address with the school?
• Address changes should be reported as soon as possible. 2024
Summer EBT benefits can be issued through August 31, 2024.
Miscellaneous
1. What if I do not want to receive Summer EBT benefits?
• If you receive a Summer EBT card for your student that you do not
wish to use, please destroy the card. Do not give it to someone
else.
2. Who do I contact if I have questions?
• MDHHS has a call center specifically for Summer EBT questions.
o Call (833)905-0028, option 2.
o Email [email protected]
