June 1, 2026
Good nutrition during the summer helps children stay healthy, grow, and be ready to learn. The Oregon Summer EBT program supports families by providing grocery benefits when school meals are not available. It helps children grow strong and do well in school by giving families money to help buy groceries when school meals aren’t available.
Each eligible child can receive $120 in food benefits for the summer. Children who are automatically eligible received their benefit on June 5. Some families may qualify but need to apply. Online applications open June 5.
Who is automatically eligible:
- Children in households receiving benefits such as SNAP, TANF, or the Oregon Health Plan.
- Children who attend a Head Start program that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP).
- Children in resource (foster) care, part of a migrant education program, experiencing houselessness, attend a qualifying Head Start program, or part of the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
Who needs to apply:
- Your child attends a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP), AND
- Your family meets the income requirements for free or reduced-price meals at school.
What else should you know?
- If your family is new to Summer EBT, you must apply by September 1, 2026. Applications are available online or with a paper form at sebt.oregon.gov for details.
- Families with children automatically eligible for Summer EBT will get the benefit starting June 5 on an Oregon EBT card. This card can be used at most grocery stores and farmers markets.
- Families that got Summer EBT in 2025 through an approved application that was received on or after July 1, 2025, don’t need to apply again.
- You can protect your Oregon EBT card and benefits from electronic theft by following a few simple tips. Stolen Summer EBT benefits can’t be replaced.
Need help or want to apply?
- Visit sebt.oregon.gov or email summerebtinfo@odhs.oregon.gov.
- Questions? Call the Summer EBT Call Center at 1-833-673-7328 starting June 1, 2026, through Sept. 25, 2026. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time
Click below to view other Child Care Update articles
- Register to Attend DELC’s June Provider Information Session
- New Free Professional Development Series Supports Early Learning Providers Across Oregon
- Oregon Summer EBT food benefit program is back!
- Oregon Department of Human Services Free Food Markets Also Help Families With Free Diapers
- DELC on Social: May Highlights