Summer EBT
Summer Food Benefits for Children
Summer EBT provides certain families with $120 per child to buy food for their children in the summer. Children who get Summer EBT can still participate in other programs, such as Summer Meals and FoodShare. Receiving Summer EBT will not affect children’s 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. All households with children eligible for Summer EBT will get a letter in the mail explaining the program and the benefits you are receiving.
Families with eligible children who have an existing QUEST or a Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) card 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 June 7, 2025.
*However, if a family’s P-EBT card has a zero balance (meaning no money left on it), the system won’t add new funds to it. Instead, a new Summer EBT card will be mailed directly to the family with the benefits.
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. However, if a family’s P-EBT card has a zero balance (meaning no money left on it), the system won’t add new funds to it. Instead, a new Summer EBT card will be mailed directly to the family with the benefits.
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 on June 7, 2025.
If a family applies after that date, benefits will be added on a rolling basis – meaning as applications are processed– up until the program deadline on August 28, 2025.
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.