April 29, 2025 – The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced that Summer EBT benefits will be issued to eligible families for the 2024-25 school year starting in May. Each eligible school-aged child will receive a one-time benefit of $120.
The Summer EBT program is designed to provide additional food support to economically disadvantaged children during the summer months. Most eligible households will receive benefits automatically between May 19-26, 2025. Families currently receiving electronic benefits will have Summer EBT benefits loaded onto their existing LINK cards, while new cards will be mailed to households without one.
“No child should ever have to wonder where their next meal will come from — not during the school year and not during the summer. With the Summer EBT program, Illinois is ensuring our most vulnerable children have access to the nutritious meals they need to thrive,” said Governor JB Pritzker.
“For children who rely on school for regular meals, summer can be a time of food insecurity, causing increased hunger and anxiety,” said Dulce M. Quintero, IDHS Secretary.
“Hunger doesn’t take a summer break — and neither should access to nutritious meals,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders.
Families who do not automatically qualify must complete a screener and submit an application by August 13, 2025, at abe.illinois.gov/sebtPortal. Summer EBT benefits are intended to supplement household grocery purchases when school is not in session and are available in addition to meals offered at summer meal sites.
