Massachusetts Summer EBT Plan Approved by USDA

We are thrilled to share that DTA got federal approval to launch Summer EBT. Summer EBT is a new, permanent summer food benefit. Here is Governor Healey’s press release, and DTA’s Summer EBT FAQ page is here. 

Here’s what you need to know now about Summer EBT:

  • Summer EBT = $120 per eligible child in federal food dollars, on an EBT card, to be used like SNAP wherever SNAP is accepted (grocery stores, participating farmers markets, etc).

    • Summer EBT does not count for HIP, households can only get HIP if they get SNAP.

  • DTA will issue Summer EBT to hundreds of thousands of kids around July 25. Kids who qualify after July 25 will be issued Summer EBT on a rolling basis.

    • It will go onto DTA SNAP EBT cards for families getting SNAP in July.

    • It will go onto Summer EBT cards for families who are not on SNAP. DTA will start mailing out Summer EBT cards in July.

  • Summer EBT will be automatically issued to the majority of eligible kids. This means most families do not need to apply! For example, families who got SNAP, TAFDC, or certain types of MassHealth during the 2023-2024 school year do not need to apply. We do not want to cause confusion and make families who do not need to apply think they do!

  • For families who do need to apply, the online Summer EBT application will be available on June 15. Stay tuned for more information on paper applications.

  • Unlike SNAP, Summer EBT has a 4 month expungement timeline - Summer EBT expires 4 months from the date it is issued. It is critical to make sure families not on SNAP get their Summer EBT card quickly when DTA issues it.

  • Below is what the card will look like.

Indigo Pinedo