Summer EBT (aka Sun Bucks)
To access your Illinois Summer EBT Link account, visit the Illinois Link Card Website or call 1-800-678-Link. To login, use your personalized log in instructions found on your Summer EBT Approval Letter.
If you do not have access to your personalized Summer EBT Approval Letter, you may log in with:
- the Head of Household's Social Security Number and the Head of Household's date of birth OR
- your child's Social Security Number and your child's date of birth.
If you're are still having trouble please call the Summer EBT hotline at 1-833-621-0737.
Summer EBT 2024 (aka SUN Bucks) is a new benefits program that provides families a $120 one-time benefit for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is not in session. Summer is a time when many children lose the free and reduced-price meals they get at school, and when households may need help putting meals on the table. Most families will receive benefits automatically, but some parents will need to apply.
Summer EBT is available in addition to free meals that children of all ages get at summer meal sites in their communities.
Summer EBT issuances are planned for August 2024.
Updates will continue to be added to this page including availability dates.
Report an Address Change
If you used the Summer EBT Screener and need to report an address change, you can do so by:
Eligibility
Eligibility for the Summer EBT Program include children:
- Ages 6-17 with a date of birth between 07/02/2005 and 08/31/2018 that have received Food, Cash, or Medicaid Assistance with income at or below 185% Federal Poverty Levels (FPL) anytime between 07/01/2023 through 08/31/2024; or
- Who attended a school that participated in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during the 2023-2024 school year and was deemed income-eligible to receive a free or reduced-price lunch through streamlined certification or an application at the school; or
- Who attended a school that participated in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during the 2023-2024 school year and filed a Summer EBT application that was deemed eligible.
Summer EBT Screener
To check whether your child/children will receive automatic benefits or if an application is needed, click on Summer EBT Screener at abe.illinois.gov Beginning 07/01/2024, the Summer EBT application is available through this link.
Note: Children that are eligible for Summer EBT benefits through the Illinois School Board of Education (ISBE) for free or reduced-price lunch will not be found through the Summer EBT Screener until 07/01/2024.
If you have questions or problems using the Summer EBT Screener, you can contact us at 1-833-621-0737.
Summer EBT Applications
Summer EBT only applications can be accessed through abe.illinois.gov by clicking on Summer EBT Screener.
Most children are eligible without a Summer EBT application. Children that are not automatically eligible for Summer EBT can submit an application if the child attended an Illinois School that participated in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during the 2023-2024 school year. For a list of NSLP schools visit www.isbe.net/sebt. Summer EBT applications will be handled by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and any child found eligible for Summer EBT benefits will be sent to IDHS for processing. Households that would like their child/children to receive Summer EBT benefits can also apply for Food, Cash, and/or Medical Assistance prior to the end of the summer operational period 08/31/2024, and they will be automatically enrolled in Summer EBT for Summer 2024 if they have a date of birth in the range listed above and are approved.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
