Thousands of Oregon families are receiving Summer EBT food benefits this summer, but state officials say families who have not yet received assistance may still qualify and should check their eligibility before the Sept. 1 application deadline.
The Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program provides a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child to help families purchase groceries during the summer months when children no longer have regular access to school meals.
The program, administered by the Oregon Department of Human Services and the Oregon Department of Education, is expected to serve approximately 360,000 children statewide this year.
Summer EBT was created to help address childhood hunger during summer break, when many students lose access to free or reduced-price meals provided at school. Now in its third year, the program is designed to ensure children continue to have access to nutritious food while school is out of session.
“Access to nutritious food is essential to children’s health, well-being, and learning,” Oregon Department of Education Director Dr. Charlene Williams said. “Summer EBT provides important support to families during the summer months, and we encourage eligible families to take advantage of this resource.”
Benefits began rolling out earlier this month to families who qualified automatically through existing public assistance programs. State officials estimate the program will generate more than $43 million in food purchasing power at grocery stores, farmers markets and other retailers across Oregon.
“We know summer can be especially hard for families who are already struggling to keep food on the table,” said Oregon Department of Human Services Director Liesl Wendt. “When school is out, many children lose access to regular school meals, and no child should have to worry about being hungry.”
Families generally receive Summer EBT benefits automatically if they have children ages 6 to 18 and received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) assistance, qualifying Medicaid benefits, or foster care services at any point during the 2025-26 school year.
Children may also automatically qualify if they were identified by their school as migrant, houseless or runaway students, participated in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, or attended a Head Start program that participated in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program.
Families who did not receive benefits automatically may still be eligible.
Households that meet income requirements for free or reduced-price school meals, or whose children attend schools participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, are encouraged to review eligibility requirements and submit an application.
Applications are available online in English and Spanish, with paper applications available in multiple languages.
Families have until Sept. 1, 2026, to apply for Summer EBT benefits.
State officials encourage families to check their Oregon EBT card balances before applying to determine whether benefits have already been issued.
In addition to Summer EBT, Oregon families who receive SNAP benefits may be able to stretch their food dollars even further through the Double Up Food Bucks program.
The statewide initiative helps low-income families purchase more fresh fruits and vegetables by matching SNAP spending at participating farmers markets, farm stands, Community Supported Agriculture programs and select grocery stores. In many cases, shoppers can receive up to $20 per day in matching benefits, allowing families to bring home additional locally grown produce while supporting Oregon farmers and local food systems.
Officials also remind families that Summer EBT benefits do not remain available indefinitely. Any unused benefits expire 122 days after they are issued, making it important for recipients to use the assistance before it is lost.
Families can learn more about eligibility requirements, application information and program deadlines at sebt.oregon.gov or by calling the Summer EBT Call Center at 833-673-7328. The call center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will remain available through Sept. 25.
