06/06/2026
Summer EBT & Free State Park Entry
S-EBT Template Letter for Families
Dear Families:
Vermont participates in the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) program. S-EBT helps feed eligible school-aged children during summer vacation. The benefit is $120 for the summer per eligible child. It can be used to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets and online where EBT is accepted. Benefits will be sent automatically to most eligible families starting in June.
The Vermont Department for Children and Families will send you a letter if your family will get the benefit automatically. The letter will have instructions. Here’s how the benefits will arrive:
• If your household has an EBT card, S-EBT benefits will be added to that card.
• If you have an S-EBT card from last summer, the benefit will be added to that card. If you lost your card, call 1-888-354-0012, option 7 to get a new one.
• Families who don’t already have an EBT card will receive a new card in the mail.
Please keep your card for next summer!
Children are automatically eligible for S-EBT if:
• They are between 6 - 16 years old and get Medicaid with a qualifying family income, 3SquaresVT, or Reach Up; or,
• They qualify for free or reduced-price meals at a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program. Even though Vermont schools offer free meals to all students, only some students qualify for free and reduced-price meals.
• Children participating in several other assistance programs may also get the benefit automatically.
If you think your child is eligible and you do not receive a benefit letter in the mail by July, visit https://summerebt.vermont.gov/ to submit a short application. Children can also get Summer EBT if they go to a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program and their household income is below the limit. Applications can be submitted any time before August 28. The income limit increases on July 1, so check back after July 1 if you don’t currently qualify.
In addition to Summer EBT, children 18 and under can receive free meals at any open summer meal site. All children are invited to get summer meals, even if you do not qualify for Summer EBT. Some summer meal sites provide meals to eat on site. Other sites provide food to take home. You can call 2-1-1 or visit the Summer Meal Finder at https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder to find locations. Vermont summer meal sites will be posted in late June. [If your school district is operating summer meals sites, add specific details here]
Receiving Summer EBT benefits does not affect the family’s immigration status.
Families with EBT cards can visit Vermont State Parks for free! Just show your EBT card at the park entrance and you and your household can enter for free. Visit https://www.vermontparksforever.org/paf-pilot to learn more.
You can visit www.summerebt.vermont.gov for more information. If you have questions about the program, please contact DCF’s Economic Services Division at 1-888-354-0012, option 7.
