Summer EBT: Food Benefits for Eligible Children During the Summer Months

Children qualify if their application to get free or reduced price meals at their National School Lunch Program (NSLP) school during the 2023-2024 school year was approved.

A child can also qualify if they were part of a household that participated in one of the following programs during some or all the 2023-2024 school year:

• FoodShare
• Wisconsin Works (W-2)
• The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
• An income-based Medicaid program (See Medicaid in Wisconsin: A-Z, P-02383)

If a child does not go to an NSLP school, but are in one of the programs listed above, they must have been born on or between July 1, 2005, and August 29, 2018, to qualify.

The table below shows the income limits (effective July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024) for Summer EBT. They are the same ones used for the National School Lunch Program. Your household’s total income must be the same or less than the amount shown for your household size. Note: These income limits will change on July 1, 2024.

Children who qualify because their application for free or reduced price meals was approved by their NSLP school can be any age.

If your child does not go to an NSLP school but your household participated in one of the qualifying programs for some or all of the 2023-2024 school year, they must have been born on or between July 1, 2005, and August 29, 2018, in order to get Summer EBT.

Wisconsin will send out Summer EBT benefits automatically to as many families as possible.

We will use data from schools, the Department of Health Services, the Department of Public Instruction, and the Department of Children and Families to find children who qualify. If we find that your child is eligible for Summer EBT, we will send benefits automatically and notify you by mail.

To make sure we have the correct address for your family, you can use our Benefit Management Tool. If your address has changed, try to update your information before the end of the school year.

If your child qualifies for Summer EBT, we will send you a letter in late June. This letter will tell you that they are qualified and, if you have more than one eligible child, you will see the total benefit amount you will be sent.

If your child’s school participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), you may still be able to turn in an application for Free or Reduced Price Lunch (FRPL). If your child is approved before the end of the 2023-2024 school year, they will be able to get Summer EBT in 2024 as well.

Some NSLP schools collect Alternate Household Income Forms instead of FRPL applications. This usually includes schools that provide free meals to every child so no family needs to apply. If your child goes to one of these schools, you may still be able to turn in an Alternate Household Income Form to your child’s school. Information from that form can be used to find out if your child can get Summer EBT.

If your child does not attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (this could include children who are homeschooled or in a virtual school), you could apply for one of the qualifying assistance programs.

• FoodShare
• Wisconsin Works (W-2)
• The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
• An income-based Medicaid program (See Medicaid in Wisconsin: A-Z, P-02383)

If your family is approved for one or more of these programs by August 29, 2024, your child may also be eligible to get Summer EBT in 2024. You can learn more about these and other state benefit programs by calling 211, visiting the ACCESS website, or by contacting your local or tribal agency.

You can also apply directly for Summer EBT through our online application. We suggest that you try to apply for one of the benefit programs first so, if you are approved, you can get both those benefits and Summer EBT. But, if you choose to apply directly for Summer EBT, you have until August 29, 2024. If you apply and are approved, we will send you the benefits as soon as we are able to.

If you do not get benefits when they are first sent out in late June and you think you should have, you can email us at dhssebtsupport@wi.gov. Some families may need to apply for Summer EBT for us to know that their children are eligible.

Yes. We will send benefits to as many families as possible in June. However, if we identify your child as eligible after that, we will still send your benefits. Over the summer, we will be sending benefits to families as we get information about their children.

If your child met the eligibility requirements for some or all of the 2023-2024 school year, they will receive Summer EBT benefits in 2024 – even if they are set to graduate this year. Graduating in the 2023-2024 school year does not impact a child’s ability to receive Summer EBT in 2024.

If you don't want Summer EBT benefits, even if you child qualifies, you can tell us using our Benefit Management Tool. You have to tell use before the tool closes on May 31, 2024.

Your Summer EBT benefits will be put onto an EBT card that works like a debit card. If you already have a QUEST card or a P-EBT card from the COVID-19 pandemic, we will put your Summer EBT benefits on that card, if your child is eligible. If you do not already have an EBT card, we will mail you a new QUEST card.

To check the balance on your card, go to the ebtEDGE website or use the ebtEDGE mobile app. If you lose your card, call QUEST Card Service at 877-415-5164.

Yes. If you have at least one eligible child and your household already has a QUEST card, we will be automatically adding the benefits to that card. The Summer EBT benefits will show up differently on your account if you go into ACCESS.

Your Summer EBT benefits can be used wherever FoodShare benefits are accepted. This includes most grocery stores, many convenience stores, some farmers markets, and certain online retailers. You can use the benefits to buy food items, including:

• Bread and cereals
• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, fish, and poultry
• Dairy products
• Snack foods

See a detailed list of items you can and cannot buy with your benefits.

Once the $120 in benefits is added to your EBT card, you have 122 days (about 4 months) to use them. Any benefits that you have not used after that time will be removed from your card. You will get reminders in the mail before we remove any benefits from your card.

Please remember that you cannot give your EBT card to someone else. It is illegal to sell, trade, or give your Summer EBT benefits to another person.

Yes. If your child gets Summer EBT benefits, they can still participate in other summer meal programs. Two programs like this are the Summer Food Service Program and the Seamless Summer Option. To learn more about meal sites near you, visit wisummerfood.org or call 211. You can also text ‘food’ to 304-304.

You have the right to request a fair hearing. A fair hearing allows you to tell why you think there has been a wrong decision about your application or benefits. At the hearing, a hearing officer will hear from you and the agency. They will then determine if the decision was right or wrong. You may bring a friend or family member with you to the hearing.

To request a fair hearing, you will need to send either a fair hearing request form or a letter asking for a hearing to the Division of Hearings & Appeals, PO Box 7875, Madison, WI 53707. You can also fax it to 608-264-9885.

You may be able to get free legal help for the hearing. To learn more about legal help, call 888-278-0633