Summer EBT: How to Qualify
The deadline for a child to be eligible for Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) for 2025 was August 28, 2025. There are steps that families can take now to see if their child can qualify for Summer EBT for Summer 2026.
Applying for a qualifying benefit program
Children can qualify for Summer EBT for Summer 2026 if their household applies and are approved for a qualifying benefit program. The qualifying benefit programs include:
- FoodShare
- Wisconsin Works (W-2)
- The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
- Certain income-based Medicaid programs
Children who go to a school that does not participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) must be school-aged to qualify. This includes children who are homeschooled or go to a fully virtual school. Families will need to contact their child’s school to confirm if it participates in the NSLP.
Families can call 211 or visit ACCESS (ACCESS in Spanish) to learn about applying for any of these programs. Families can also contact their local or Tribal agency who can help them apply for the programs.
Applying directly for Summer EBT
The Summer EBT Application is for families who meet the income limit for Summer EBT but who don’t have information on file with the state showing that their child qualifies. This could be because:
- Their child’s school accepts FRPL applications but there is no approved application on file for the child.
- Their child’s school is in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). CEP schools don’t use FRPL applications because every child gets meals at no cost.
Families should use the Summer EBT Application only if their child goes to a school that participates in the NSLP. If a child does not go to a school that participates in the NSLP, they cannot qualify for Summer EBT through a Summer EBT application. Families will need to contact their child’s school to confirm if it participates in the NSLP.
The Summer EBT Application will open at the end of 2025 for families to apply for Summer 2026.
Summer EBT income limits
The income limits for Summer EBT are the same ones used by the NSLP. A household’s total income must be the same or less than the amount shown for the household's size. These income limits will change on July 1, 2026.
| Household Size | Yearly Income ($) | Monthly Income ($) | Weekly Income ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28,953 | 2,413 | 557 |
| 2 | 39,128 | 3,261 | 753 |
| 3 | 49,303 | 4,109 | 949 |
| 4 | 59,478 | 4,957 | 1,144 |
| 5 | 69,653 | 5,805 | 1,340 |
| 6 | 79,828 | 6,653 | 1,536 |
| 7 | 90,003 | 7,501 | 1,731 |
| 8 | 100,178 | 8,349 | 1,927 |
| 9 | 110,353 | 9,197 | 2,123 |
| 10 | 120,528 | 10,045 | 2,319 |
| 11 | 130,703 | 10,893 | 2,515 |
| 12 | 140,878 | 11,741 | 2,711 |
| Add this amount for each additional household member | 10,175 | 848 | 196 |
Help with Summer EBT
Get help with questions about Summer EBT by contacting the Summer EBT Support Team at DHSSEBTSupport@dhs.wisconsin.gov or visiting the Summer EBT: Frequently Asked Questions page.