Summer EBT Massachusetts Activate Card

The Summer EBT Program in Massachusetts is a federal food benefit that helps low-income families with school-aged children buy food during the summer when schools are closed. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Application Period: Starting from June 15, 2024, families can apply for Summer EBT benefits via an online application at DTAConnect.com. The online application will remain open until September 7, 2024.

2. Benefit Distribution: Summer EBT benefits will be loaded onto EBT cards for most students on July 25, 2024. If you receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), the Summer EBT benefits will be added to your DTA EBT card.

Feel free to apply and take advantage of this program to support your family’s nutritional needs during the summer!

Selecting a PIN and Activating a Summer EBT Food Benefits Card

To access your Summer EBT food benefits using a Summer EBT food benefits card, you must have a Personal Identification Number (PIN). It is important that you follow these directions for selecting a PIN to be able to access your food benefits.

Call the EBT customer service helpline at 1-888-328-6399 to select a Personal Identification Number (PIN) over the phone and follow these steps:

• Choose a language.
• Enter the 19-digit number on the front of the P-EBT or Summer EBT food benefits card.
• Press 1 to create your PIN.
• You will be asked for the last 4 digits of the cardholder’s Social Security Number (SSN). The cardholder is the child whose name is printed on the front of the P-EBT or Summer EBT food benefits card. Do NOT enter the child’s SSN. Instead, enter the 4-digit month and day (MM/DD) of the child’s actual BIRTHDAY (NOT the fake birthday printed on the front of the card).
  For example, if the child’s birthday is July 4, enter 0704.
• Enter your zip code.
• Enter your new 4-digit PIN. You cannot choose a PIN that contains repeated or consecutive numbers, such as “2222” or “1234”. Choose a PIN that is difficult to guess.

You can now use your Summer EBT food benefits card at any SNAP-authorized grocery store, farmers market, or other approved retailer.

Eligibility

Automatically Eligible

To receive Summer EBT food benefits automatically:

• A child must receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and/or Temporary Assistance (cash) benefits, or be directly certified for free meals through Medicaid, OR
• A child must be determined eligible for free/reduced price school meals through the National School Lunch Program by their school.*

These children will receive benefits automatically and DO NOT need to apply. Most eligible children will receive their benefits this way.

Must Apply

Some students who are not automatically eligible may be able to receive Summer EBT food benefits by completing an application. To be eligible through an application:

• A student must attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), AND
• The household’s income must be at or below the limits for eligibility for free/reduced price school meals (185% federal poverty level). See, “How to Apply” for more information.

Benefits

Each eligible child will receive $120 in Summer EBT food benefits in 2024.

Summer EBT benefits can be used just like SNAP benefits to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other SNAP-authorized retailers.

Summer EBT food benefits will begin to be issued this summer. Eligible children will receive benefits at different times, depending on whether they attend public or private school, and whether they receive benefits automatically or are determined eligible through a Summer EBT application.

How do I check my Summer EBT balance?

To check your Summer EBT balance, you can do the following:

1. Online: Visit the DTAConnect website and log in using your EBT card number and PIN. Once logged in, you’ll find your current balance.
2. Phone: Call the EBT Customer Service line at 1-800-997-2555. Follow the prompts to check your balance.
3. Receipts: Keep your EBT transaction receipts after each purchase. They show your remaining balance.

Remember to protect your EBT card and PIN to keep your benefits secure!

What can I buy with the EBT card?

With your EBT card, you can purchase eligible food items for your family. Here are some examples:

1. Fruits and Vegetables: Fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables.
2. Bread and Grains: Bread, rice, pasta, cereal, and other grains.
3. Dairy: Milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products.
4. Protein: Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and plant-based protein like beans and tofu.
5. Snacks: Snack foods like chips, pretzels, and popcorn.
6. Seeds and Plants: You can also use your EBT card to buy seeds and plants that produce food for your household.

Remember that you cannot use your EBT card to buy non-food items like alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, or hot prepared foods.