Free meals at school in NYC? It's not enough for Summer EBT: Here's how to get $120 per child

New York City families relying on free school meals should know that it's not enough to qualify for Summer EBT benefits. To access up to $120 per child, families must either be automatically eligible or apply through the program. The application deadline for 2025 is September 3. With the aim to reach more families this year, the state is encouraging applications to combat food insecurity during the summer months, when school meals are unavailable.