DELAWARE SUMMER EBT
The new Summer EBT program helps families with school-age children buy food during the summer. Families will receive a $120 benefit for each eligible school-aged child. Benefits are loaded on an EBT card that can be used to buy groceries.
Most families will get Summer EBT benefits automatically, but some families will need to apply. Families must meet the income and program rules to be eligible.
Delaware’s Summer EBT program is under development.
Important Dates:
- Households can begin applying for Summer EBT on July 12, 2024 on Delaware ASSIST.
- Eligible households will receive Summer EBT benefits starting in September 2024.
Who is eligible?
Your school-aged child is eligible for Summer EBT if:
- Your child gets SNAP (food benefits), TANF (cash assistance), or some types of Medicaid. You may qualify through Medicaid if your household income is within the income limits for free or reduced-price school meals. OR
- Your child is enrolled in a school participating in the National School Lunch Program and your household income is within the income limits for free or reduced-price school meals. OR
- Your child is enrolled in a school participating in the National School Lunch Program and has the status of being in foster care, homeless, a migrant, or a runaway or is enrolled in Head Start.
You don’t need to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for Summer EBT. Applying for or receiving Summer EBT does NOT affect the immigration status of your children or family.
What is the income limit?
| Household Size | Annual | Monthly | Twice Per Month | Every Two Weeks | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $27,861 | $2,322 | $1,161 | $1,072 | $536 |
| 2 | $37,814 | $3,152 | $1,576 | $1,455 | $728 |
| 3 | $47,767 | $3,981 | $1,991 | $1,838 | $919 |
| 4 | $57,720 | $4,810 | $2,405 | $2,220 | $1,110 |
| 5 | $67,673 | $5,640 | $2,820 | $2,603 | $1,302 |
| 6 | $77,626 | $6,469 | $3,235 | $2,986 | $1,493 |
| 7 | $87,579 | $7,299 | $3,650 | $3,369 | $1,685 |
| 8 | $97,532 | $8,128 | $4,064 | $3,752 | $1,876 |
| For each additional person, add: | $9,953 | $830 | $415 | $383 | $192 |
Will I get benefits automatically?
Most families eligible for Summer EBT don’t need to apply. They will get benefits automatically.
You DON’T need to apply if:
- Your child gets SNAP (food benefits), TANF (cash assistance), or some types of Medicaid.
- Your child gets free or reduced-price meals because you completed a school meal application.
- Your child is enrolled in a school participating in the National School Lunch Program and has the status of being in foster care, homeless, a migrant, or a runaway or is enrolled in Head Start.
These groups of children will get benefits automatically. You DON’T need to fill out a Summer EBT application. We will send you a letter in the mail if your child is automatically eligible.
How do I apply?
If your child does not get benefits automatically, you can fill out a Summer EBT application. The Summer EBT application will be available in mid-July 2024. You may apply online or complete a paper application and return it to the Division of Social Services.
You must meet the income and program rules to be eligible. Only children enrolled in school participating in the National School Lunch Program can qualify through an application.
How much will I get in benefits?
You will receive $120 in Summer EBT for each eligible school-aged child in your household.
When will I get my benefits?
Most eligible households will receive Summer EBT benefits starting in September 2024.
How will my benefits be sent to me?
Benefits will be loaded automatically onto SNAP EBT cards and new Summer EBT cards starting September 2024.
Households receiving SNAP (food benefits):If you have a SNAP EBT card, you will get Summer EBT benefits on your existing EBT card. You will receive the benefits for all eligible children in your household in one payment.
All other households:You will get a new Summer EBT card in the mail. You will receive the benefits for all eligible children in your household in one payment. The summer EBT card will come with information on how to activate the card and create a Personal Identification Number (PIN). We will mail new Summer EBT cards to the parent’s/guardian’s address on file with the school, or the address on the Summer EBT application.
How do I use my benefits?
You can use your Summer EBT benefits to buy eligible food items at stores, online retailers, and farmer’s markets that accept EBT. Use the SNAP Retailer Locator to find stores near you.
Your EBT card works like a debit card. Only the people in your household can use your Summer EBT card.
You must use your Summer EBT benefits within 122 days after we load them on your card. Any unused benefits on your card will expire after 122 days.
| You CAN Buy: | You CANNOT Buy: |
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What about P-EBT
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) was a temporary program that provided food assistance to families with eligible children during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Delaware’s P-EBT program ended on March 31, 2024. Summer EBT benefits will NOT be added to P-EBT cards.
You can use your P-EBT benefits until they are gone. Your P-EBT benefits will not expire if you keep using your EBT card. You can cut up and throw away your P-EBT card after using the benefits.
Click here for more information about P-EBT.
How do I opt out of Summer EBT?
If you do not want to receive Summer EBT benefits, you can cut up and throw away your Summer EBT card to opt out.
Where can I find more information
Updates about Delaware Summer EBT will be posted on this website.
You can also follow @DelawareDHSS on Facebook or @DelDHSS on Instagram for Summer EBT news.
Visit the USDA’s SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) website to learn more about the program.
Contact Information
Summer EBT Call Center: 1-866-843-7212
Summer EBT Email: DHSS_DSS_SummerEBT@delaware.gov
Other Food Resources
You can find more food assistance resources by visiting these partners:
- Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder | Food and Nutrition Service
- Delaware ASSIST
- Delaware 211
- Food Bank of Delaware
Summer EBT Waivers
Delaware Coordinated Services Plan Waiver Request 2025
Delaware is requesting a waiver from the USDA to defer the January 1, 2025, compliance date for the Coordinated Services Plan (CSP) for the State’s Summer EBT program and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
Nondiscrimination Statement
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), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Person with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202)720-2600 (voice or TTY) or 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 (866)632-9992, 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 USDA by:
- Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or - Fax:
(833)256-1665 or (202)690-7442; or - Email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Please do not send applications or other program documents to the address, fax or email listed above. This contact information is for civil rights complaints only.