Summer EBT
Summer EBT – Food Benefits for Children
Summer EBT provides certain families with financial support to buy food for their children in the summer. Learn more.
Children who get Summer EBT can still participate in other summer meal programs. Receiving Summer EBT will not affect children or families’ immigration status.
Who can get Summer EBT?
In general, children who are income-eligible, able to be directly certified, or categorically eligible for free or reduced-price (FRP) school meals are eligible for Summer EBT.
Families with eligible children who have an existing QUEST, or Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) cards will see the funds automatically added to their cards. Families with eligible children who do not already have a QUEST or P-EBT card will receive a new pre-loaded QUEST card in the mail. Benefits will begin being distributed in late June.
All households with children eligible for Summer EBT will get a letter in the mail explaining the program and the benefits you are receiving.
What can you do NOW to prepare for Summer EBT?
Apply for FoodShare or another approved assistance program.
Turn in an application for free or reduced-price meals.
Notify your school with your current mailing address.
Confirm your household details with the State Benefit Management Tool.
Summer EBT Benefit Management Tool
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) created the Summer EBT Benefit Management Tool for parents or caretakers of eligible children to easily submit a request to update contact information or opt their student(s) out from receiving Summer EBT benefits.
Using benefits
Benefits are added to an existing QUEST or P-EBT card. If families do not have a QUEST or P-EBT card, benefits are added on to a new QUEST card and mailed to their address on file.
Benefits can be used wherever FoodShare benefits are accepted. This includes most grocery stores, many convenience stores, some farmers’ markets, and certain online retailers. See a detailed list of items you can and cannot buy with your benefits.
Eligible families will receive benefits automatically at the end of June.
Once you are issued the $120 in benefits for each child, you have 122 days (about 4 months) to use them. Any benefits that you have not used after that time will be removed from your card. You will get reminders in the mail before we remove any benefits from your card.
To check the balance on your card, go to the ebtEDGE website or use the ebtEDGE mobile app. If you lose your card, call QUEST Card Service at 877-415-5164.
Please remember that you cannot give your card to someone else. It is illegal to sell, trade, or give your Summer EBT benefits to another person.