Raritan NJ
6-30-2026 11:12am

Summer EBT Benefits Coming to NJ Families — What New Jersey Parents Need to Know

More than 681,000 New Jersey children will begin receiving Summer EBT benefits in the coming days. This is a permanent USDA program that helps families buy groceries during the summer when school meals aren’t available.

How Much Will Families Receive?

Each eligible child will get a one‑time $120 Summer EBT card to buy nutritious food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and any retailer that accepts SNAP — including online ordering for pickup or delivery.

Families will have 122 days (about four months) to use the funds.

Who Is Eligible?

Children qualify if they meet any of the following:

  • Receive free or reduced‑price school meals
  • Attend a school that provides free meals to all students (CEP schools)
  • Are ages 6–16 and enrolled in SNAP, TANF, income‑eligible Medicaid, or foster care

Eligibility is determined through your school district or state benefits program.

What State Leaders Are Saying

NJ Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn emphasized the importance of summer support:

“Just because the school season ends it does not mean we stop taking steps to feed students.”

NJ Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha added:

“Summer EBT helps ensure children continue to have access to nutritious food when school is out.”

And Dr. Lily Laux, Commissioner of Education, noted:

“School meals can be a lifeline for many students… Summer EBT helps bridge that gap during the summer months.”

Mark Dinglasan, Executive Director of the NJ Office of the Food Security Advocate, highlighted how this program supports both families and local businesses:

“Summer EBT supports the dignity and agency of families to shop for the nourishing foods their children need and want… Those purchases mean sales for local retailers and for our farmers.”

How to Get or Use Your Card

The NJ Department of Human Services is mailing new Summer EBT cards for 2026.
Each child receives their own card.

You can check your balance at:

  • NJFamiliesFirst.com
  • The ConnectEBT mobile app
  • The phone number on the back of the card

If your child isn’t automatically eligible, families can still apply for School Meals and Summer EBT through their local school district. Applications are accepted all summer.

More Information

Visit the official NJ Summer EBT website:
🔗 https://www.nj.gov/summerebt/

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