Summer EBT

Information and resources about the Summer EBT program for the 2023-24 school year

The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) program is a federal program that gives families with school-aged children extra funding to buy groceries during the summer months when school meals are not available. 

The S-EBT benefits will be a one-time summer issuance of $120 per eligible child. S-EBT benefits are separate from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and will be issued on a new, separate S-EBT card. Your new S-EBT card will be mailed to you within 10-14 business days of your Notice of Approval and the benefits will be on the card and ready to use.

Like SNAP, S-EBT benefits can be used to buy food items.

NOTE: If, during the 2023-2024 school year, your household received SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid AND were enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)/School Breakfast Program (SBP), you will automatically receive S-EBT benefits on a separate card, unless you tell us you don't want to receive them.  

FAQs (updated 11/19/2024)

Who is eligible for S-EBT?

There are three ways you may be eligible for S-EBT:  

  1. If, during the 2023-2024 school year, your household received SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid AND were enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)/School Breakfast Program (SBP):
    • You will automatically receive S-EBT benefits on a separate card, unless you tell us you don't want to receive them.  
       
  2. If, during the 2023-2024 school year, your household did NOT receive SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid BUT your child received free or reduced priced meals during the school year.
    • ​You will automatically receive S-EBT benefits, BUT you must give DHHS your address so you can get your S-EBT card. Visit the address portal at nheasy.nh.gov between November 16 and December 15, 2024 to provide your contact information. You must give DHHS your address to receive S-EBT.  
       
  3. If, during the 2023-2024 school year, your household did NOT receive SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid and your child did not receive free or reduced priced meals during the school year, you must apply for S-EBT between November 16 and December 15, 2024. You may be eligible if your household income was at or below 185% of federal poverty income guidelines AND your child attended an NSLP-participating school. Apply at nheasy.nh.gov.

Do I need to apply for S-EBT?

If, during the 2023-2024 school year, your household did NOT receive SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid and your child did not receive free or reduced priced meals during the school year, you must apply for S-EBT between November 16 and December 15, 2024. You may be eligible if your household income was at or below 185% of federal poverty income guidelines AND your child attended an NSLP-participating school. Apply at nheasy.nh.gov.

My family currently receives SNAP/TANF benefits, when can I expect my S-EBT card? (added 11/19/2024)

DHHS is in the process of issuing Summer EBT benefits for the 2023-2024 school year for families participating in SNAP and TANF. These benefits will be issued automatically. 

Is there a deadline to apply?

The S-EBT application will be open from November 16 - December 15, 2024.

Will I receive a new card?

Yes. You will be issued a new, separate S-EBT card, even if you already have an EBT card. Your new S-EBT card will be mailed to you within 10-14 business days of your Notice of Approval and the benefits will be on the card and ready to use.

I got my S-EBT card. What do I do next?

You must first choose a PIN by calling 1-888-997-9777 and listen for the prompt to choose your PIN. You do not need to speak to a representative to PIN your S-EBT card. You will be prompted to enter the 16-digit S-EBT card number on the front of your S-EBT card. You will then be prompted to enter the last 4 digits of your SSN or your date of birth. You will then select a 4-digit PIN. Keep this PIN safe and do not write it on the S-EBT card itself. When you make a purchase with your S-EBT card, you will need to select the Food option on the POS terminal and then enter your 4-digit PIN, just like a debit card. 
 
Anyone in your household can use your S-EBT card, even if their name is not on the front of the S-EBT card.

How do I change my PIN#?

Call EBT Client Services at 1-888-997-9777

Where can I use my S-EBT card?

You can use your S-EBT benefits at any store that accepts SNAP, including online from many retailers. Most retailers have signs saying they accept SNAP or EBT. You can also use S-EBT benefits at many farmers’ markets; some markets will even double your benefits.

S-EBT benefits can be used to buy any food that can be bought with SNAP. Most food is SNAP-eligible. You can also use S-EBT benefits to buy seeds or plants to grow your own food.

Like SNAP, you cannot use S-EBT to buy prepared foods, or any food that is sold hot. You also cannot use S-EBT benefits to buy any household products, pet foods, alcohol, or tobacco.

For more information, visit the Electronic Benefits Transfer page. 

I lost my S-EBT card. How can I get a new one?

Call EBT Client Services at 1-888-997-9777, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. 

Will my S-EBT benefits expire?

The S-EBT benefits will remain available for 122 days from the date they are issued. 

What food can I buy with S-EBT?

You can use your S-EBT card to purchase eligible food items anywhere SNAP/EBT cards are accepted. Eligible food items include dairy products, eggs, meat, cereal, rice, pasta, bread, fresh or frozen canned/ dried vegetables or fruit, any ingredients you use for cooking, baby formula, ice, diabetic foods, garden seeds, and plants for growing food at home. 

You cannot buy already prepared food, hot food, food for pets, or vitamins.
 

I received a card in error. What should I do?

Please call the Summer EBT program at 603-271-7373, Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST.

Please do not activate the card or use the benefits.

 

Can I opt out of S-EBT?

Yes, participation in S-EBT is voluntary.  If you choose not to participate in the program, please call 603-271-7373 to report you do not want to receive S-EBT benefits.

What do I do if my address changes?

Please call the Summer EBT program at 603-271-7373, Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST.

Can I apply for other food programs?

How do I submit requested verifications?

If you received a request to provide verifications, please email your verification documents to dhhs.sebt@dhhs.nh.gov.

Your Right to an Administrative Appeal ("Hearing") 

You can appeal our decision if you don’t agree with it regarding the children who were included (or not included) in the benefit issuance and/or benefit issuance amount for the Summer EBT program or if you think we made some other mistake in the action we took.

If you want to appeal our decision or if you have questions about the appeal process or a current appeal please call the Administrative Appeals Unit (AAU) at 1-800-852-2245 extension 14292 or email dhhs.aau@dhhs.nh.gov.

Requests for an appeal can be made either in writing via fax, mail or electronic mail, or over the phone to either the Bureau of Family Assistance or the AAU. The deadline to request an appeal for this year’s benefit is January 2025  If you request and appeal, a hearing will be scheduled by the AAU. A hearing is a meeting between you, someone from DHHS, and an Administrative Law Judge. At the hearing, you can explain why you think we made a mistake. You can bring someone with you to the hearing, like a friend, relative, or lawyer, or, come by yourself. DHHS will not pay for the cost of any legal services you may want. However, there are free and reduced cost legal services available in NH. Bring documents, information, or witnesses to show us where you think we made a mistake. 

Waiver Requests

The following waiver requests have been submitted by the State of New Hampshire and approved by the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service:

  • 7 CFR 292.12(f)(1): Income applications
    The Summer EBT agency must notify (or place notification in the mail) eligible households of a child's approved status within 15 operational days of receipt of a complete application.

  • 7 CFR 292.12(g): Denied applications and the notice of denial
    The Summer EBT agency must notify (or place notification in the mail) eligible households of a child's approved status within 15 operational days of receipt of a complete application.

  • 7 CFR 292.15(c)(1)(i)(A): Benefit Issuance
    For children who can be streamline certified or who have an approved Summer EBT application on file, benefits must be issued and available for participants to use 7-14 calendar days before the start of the summer operational period.

  • 7 CFR 292.26(a)(1): Hearing procedures for families and Summer EBT Agencies
    Fair hearing procedures established by the Summer EBT agency must allow a household to appeal within 90 days after the end of the summer operational period.

Contact Information