Who is eligible for Summer EBT?
Students qualify for Summer EBT if during the 2023-2024 school year (starting July 1, 2023) they:
- Got SNAP (including the temporary State SNAP Supplement), DTA cash benefits, SSI with a relative caregiver, or certain types of MassHealth coverage, or were in foster care; AND
- Were enrolled in a National School Lunch Program (NSLP)/School Breakfast Program (SBP) school (click this link to see if your school participates).
OR
- Got SNAP (including the temporary State SNAP Supplement), DTA cash benefits, SSI with a relative caregiver, or certain types of MassHealth coverage, or were in foster care; AND
- They are not enrolled in a NSLP/SBP school; AND
- They are between the ages of 6 and 15.
OR
- They were approved for Summer EBT or NSLP/SBP through an application.
Do I need to apply for Summer EBT?
Most eligible families in Massachusetts do not need to apply to get Summer EBT. DTA will issue Summer EBT benefits automatically to most eligible families.
For example, if during the 2023-2024 school year your child/children got SNAP, DTA cash benefits, certain types of MassHealth coverage, SSI with a relative caregiver, or were in foster care, you do not need to apply.
How do I apply for Summer EBT?
Students who are not automatically enrolled (see above) in Summer EBT can apply online on DTA Connect or through a paper application with their school. Check back soon for more information about the paper application.
Students are eligible if they attend a NSLP/SBP school and if their household meets NSLP/SBP income limits.
What time period does Summer EBT cover?
Summer EBT is a benefit for the summer months. In Massachusetts, the summertime period is from June 13, 2024, to September 7, 2024.
Students can apply for Summer EBT until September 7, 2024.
How much money will my student get for Summer EBT?
Summer EBT provides $40 a month to qualified students for the three summer months. DTA will issue a one-time payment of $120 to eligible students.
How will I receive the Summer EBT benefit?
If you or someone in your household already receives SNAP or DTA cash benefits, DTA will put Summer EBT benefits on your existing EBT card.
If no one in your home receives DTA benefits, the benefits will be paid on a new Summer EBT card in the name of the parent/guardian who is completing the application. For eligible families on MassHealth, the new Summer EBT card will be in the name of the head of the household. If the student is in foster care, the new Summer EBT card will be in their name.
Families who do not currently have an EBT card will receive their Summer EBT card in the mail starting the week of July 29.
Please note: Summer EBT is not the same as Pandemic EBT (P-EBT). P-EBT has ended. Summer EBT benefits will not be put on any P-EBT cards.
My student is homeless/does not have permanent housing. How can we ensure Summer EBT materials are sent to the correct address?
Every school district has a homeless liaison who works with unhoused students.
DTA is working with DESE and their homeless liaisons to find alternative addresses for all students. Families are encouraged to reach out to their school’s homeless liaison to update their address.
If you are unable to reach your homeless liaison, you should call the Summer EBT hotline at 855-425-8770.
How do I create a PIN for my Summer EBT card?
You need a PIN to use the Summer EBT card. To add a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to your Summer EBT card, call the number on the back of the card (1-800-997-2555) and follow the prompts. You will need your case number (which begins with the numbers 8 and 0) from the approval notice from DTA and the birthday of the person whose name is on the approval notice from DTA.
For students in foster care, you need the student's birthday.
Check out the Outreach Materials page for a flyer in multiple languages that explains how to PIN your Summer EBT card.
If you do not have the notice with your case number, call the Summer EBT hotline to get it: 855-425-8770.
Remember, to protect your benefits from theft, the system will not allow PINs that are easy to guess, including consecutive numbers (1, 2, 3, 4...), repeating numbers (7, 7, 7, 7...), back-to-back numbers (2, 2, 4, 4), and PINs that include your case number, card number, or date of birth.
Do I have to use all of my Summer EBT benefits during the summer?
Yes. Summer EBT benefits expire if they are not used. Families have 122 days from the date the money is deposited on their card to use their Summer EBT benefits. Benefits not used within 122 days will be removed from the card.
I lost or did not get my Summer EBT card. Can I get a new one (replacement card)?
Yes. Visit DTAConnect.com and create an account to request a replacement Summer EBT card or contact the Summer EBT hotline at 855-425-8770.
Does Summer EBT impact Social Security Income (SSI)?
No, receiving Summer EBT will not impact your SSI benefits. Summer EBT is a food assistance program, and it will not affect SSI benefits in any way.
I do not have an EBT card and need a Summer EBT card. How do I check the address it will be mailed to?
If you are currently a DTA client and you already have an EBT card for SNAP or cash benefits, your Summer EBT benefits will be paid on that card.
If you do not have an EBT card, DTA will mail you a Summer EBT card. Please create a DTA Connect account to update your mailing address. If you cannot create a DTA Connect account, call the Summer EBT hotline at 855-425-8770 to confirm your mailing address.
Where can I use my Summer EBT benefits? What can I buy with them?
You can use your Summer EBT benefits at any store that accepts SNAP, including online from many retailers. Most retailers have signs saying they accept SNAP or EBT.
Summer EBT benefits can be used to buy any food that can be bought with SNAP. Most food is SNAP-eligible. You cannot use SNAP to buy prepared foods or any food that is sold hot.
How do I protect my Summer EBT from theft?
Change your Summer EBT card PIN as often as possible. Click here to learn more.
I received a text from DTA about Summer EBT, but I have not gotten a notice in the mail. How do I check that my mailing address is correct?
If you need to update or check your mailing address (and you don't have a DTA Connect account), please call the Summer EBT hotline at 855-425-8770.
Can I use my Summer EBT benefits to get HIP?
No, Summer EBT benefits cannot be used to earn Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) benefits. You need to get SNAP to use HIP. To learn more about SNAP food benefits and to apply, click here.
How do I create an account on DTA Connect?
Create a DTA Connect account to update your address and contact information.
- To create an account, you will need an email address and a password.
- If you don't get SNAP or DTA cash benefits, to see Summer EBT information, you will need the first and last name of the person listed on the approval notice from DTA, their date of birth, and the 9-digit case number found on the approval notice from DTA (Summer EBT case numbers begin with the numbers 8 and 0). If you did not get a notice, call the Summer EBT hotline at 855-425-8770.
You can also use your DTA Connect account to check your Summer EBT balance, upload documents, see notices, and (if approved), request a replacement EBT card.
How do I cancel my Summer EBT benefits?
You can opt out or request to cancel your Summer EBT benefits by destroying the Summer EBT card, contacting the Summer EBT hotline at 855-425-8770, or speaking to a case manager.
Additionally, you may choose to draft a letter expressing your desire to close your case. If you do this, please include your Summer EBT case number and submit it via DTAconnect.com.
What other help can I get?
DTA SNAP benefits: If you aren’t already, you might be able to get SNAP food benefits to help buy food year-round! A family of three can get up to $766 a month. Visit Mass.gov/SNAP to learn more and apply.
DTA cash benefits: If you have children and no or very low income, you may qualify for TAFDC cash benefits. Visit Mass.gov/How-to/Apply-for-TAFDC to learn more and apply.
WIC: WIC is a monthly food benefit if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or for households with children under 5 or a pregnant person. With WIC you also get free nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services. For more information and to apply, visit Mass.gov/WIC or call 800-942-1007.
Summer Eats: Summer Eats is a USDA funded program administered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Summer Eats provides free meals at over 1,000 sites statewide to kids and teens ages 18 and under during the summer months when school is not in session. Meals are often provided in the same place as educational and recreational activities. Find meal sites by visiting ProjectBread.org/SummerEats or by calling the Project Bread FoodSource Hotline at 800-645-8333. You can also call the FoodSource Hotline for information about other local food resources.
Massachusetts 2-1-1: Call 211 to find health and human services programs in your area.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling 833-620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:
1. mail:
Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
Alexandria, VA 22314; or
2. fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
FNS has determined that Massachusetts must submit a request seeking waiver approval in order to administer the Summer EBT as planned. FNS has authority to waive regulatory provisions for Summer EBT, when certain conditions are met, consistent with Section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. 1760(l).
Waiver(s) Requested:
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 292.15(c)(1)(i)(B) Benefit issuance.
For eligible children who apply after the summer operational period begins, benefits must be issued and available to spend not later than 15 operational days after a complete application is received by the Summer EBT agency.