LINCOLN — The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is continuing to send out Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits throughout the summer season until Sept. 10.
Summer EBT is available to eligible families with school-age children to buy food during the summer months while school is out. A one-time payment of $120 will be issued for each eligible child during the summer period.
Families participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Aid to Dependent Children (ADC), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or an income-based Medicaid program receive Summer EBT for their children.
Additional issuances will include eligible children as reported by school districts and any new eligibility determinations through public assistance benefits and Summer EBT applications. If a family did not receive free or reduced-price meals last school year but believes they are still eligible due to income guidelines, they can apply by visiting https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Summer-EBT.aspx.
Summer EBT cards will be mailed to eligible families using their registered address with DHHS or their child’s school. Cards may take up to 10 business days to arrive in the mail. Once families receive the Summer EBT card, it must be activated using the instructions mailed with the card.
Eligible families will have 122 days, or four months, to use Summer EBT benefits. The 122-day count begins the day after benefits are issued. If benefits are not used within 122 days, funds will be returned to the federal government and cannot be reissued.
Summer EBT benefits can be used to purchase food at any location that accepts SNAP EBT, including grocery stores, online food retailers, and farmer’s markets. To use the activated card at an approved retailer:
- Select “EBT.”
- Swipe the card.
- Enter your private PIN.
Families can check the balance of their Summer EBT card in multiple ways, including:
- Using the ebtEDGE app. A newly updated version of the app with a green icon is now available for Apple and Android devices.
- Calling ebtEDGE at 877-247-6328 and entering the card number when prompted.
- Visiting https://www.ebtedge.com. Like the app, the website has also been updated with an easy-to-use interface.
- Select the “Cardholder Portal” option.
- Enter details of the account to log in.
- If an account has not been created, select the blue “Register Here” link next to “First time logging in.”
For questions regarding Summer EBT, call 800-383-4278, option 5, or email DHHS.SEBT@nebraska.gov. More information on the program can be found at https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Summer-EBT.aspx.