NJ Department of Agriculture Announces $120 Summer EBT Benefit for the Summer of 2024

The State of NJ will provide families with $120 per eligible child for the summer to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, or other authorized retailers – similar to how SNAP benefits are used.

Income eligibility for Summer EBT is based on the Federal NSLP/SBP Income Eligibility Guidelines. Therefore, only children in households at or below 185% of the Federal poverty threshold are eligible for Summer EBT. This means that students who qualify for free meals under the New Jersey Expanded Income Eligibility (NJEIE) category are not eligible for Summer EBT because they are considered “Federally Denied” (Paid) students. Here is a more clear explanation of eligibility:

If your children already qualify for free or reduced meals for the 2023-2024 school year through Direct Certification, you will automatically be enrolled in this program.

If you filled out a free and reduced meal application and your children receive free or reduced meals for the 2023-2024 school year with the eligibility status FREE or REDUCED, you will automatically be enrolled in this program.

If you filled out a free and reduced meal application and your children receive free or reduced meals for the 2023-2024 school year with the eligibility status D/SEI, they will NOT be eligible for this program.

If you have not yet filled out a free and reduced meal application, please apply now to see if your family is eligible to be enrolled in this beneficial program. All free and reduced meal applications approved on or before April 19, 2024 will qualify to determine federal summer EBT eligibility prior to the start of the summer operational period, which is June 15, 2024.

US Department of Agriculture Summer EBT Program Information Flyer

For up to date information from the US Department of Agriculture, please click here.