Summer EBT Frequently Asked Questions

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A2: School-age, income-eligible children may receive SEBT benefits. This includes:

• Children who are participating in the following public assistance programs:
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
• Medicaid – enrolled in a qualifying income-based Medicaid program
• Qualifying income-based Medicaid programs include households with income under 185% of the federal poverty level (FPL)
• Children enrolled in a school participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) who are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals based on the following criteria:
• Participation in Head Start
• Homeless
• Foster Children
• Runaway Status
• Children enrolled in a school participating in the NSLP who were approved for free or reduced-price meals through an approved school meals application or who were Directly Certified as foster, migrant, or homeless, or recipients of SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or ADC (Medicaid) in SY2024-25.

Children enrolled in a school participating in the NSLP and were not eligible for free or reduced-price meals during SY2024-25 but believe they are eligible based on income during the covered summer period from May 15, 2025 through August 20, 2025 should complete the SEBT application.

SEBT benefits will be available starting in April 2025 for the summer period of May 16, 2025, through August 20, 2025.

*Issuance dates are subject to change. This document will be updated if changes occur.

Households will receive SEBT funds on one card issuance for the full benefit amount of $120. Issuance dates will be determined based on eligibility information obtained from the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE). Eligible families will receive a letter of approval. 

A6: To activate the SEBT card, please complete the following steps:

1. Call the number on the back of the card (877-247-6328).
2. When asked for the primary cardholder's date of birth, enter the 8-digit date of birth for the oldest child in the household. For example, if the child's date of birth is January 1, 1980, enter “01-01-1980." If this date does not work, try other ten-digit dates of birth for children in your home.
3. The automated prompt will ask for the primary cardholder's zip code. Enter the zip code of the address where the card was mailed.
4. The prompt will ask you to select a PIN.
5. Once the PIN is set, the card will be activated and ready to use. 
   

A8: Yes, but not for everyone. You will need to apply for SEBT only if:

• Your child(ren) went to a school with the NSLP during the 2024-25 school year and your child(ren) did not qualify for free or reduced-price meals, but you think you are eligible based on the program's income guidelines.
• Children attending a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school, where all students receive meals but do not receive public assistance benefits, are not automatically eligible for SEBT. Those who believe they qualify must complete the SEBT application.
• You did not apply for free or reduced-price meals at the school during the 2024-25 school year, but you think you are eligible based on the program's income guidelines.
• Your 2024-25 school year application for free or reduced-price meals was denied for being over income, but your household's income has decreased, and you think you are now eligible.
• You are not homeschooling your child(ren).

Students approved for free or reduced-price meals during the 2024-25 school year are eligible for 2025 SEBT benefits and do not need to complete an application.

A11: Families can use SEBT benefits for 122 days or four months. The 122-day count begins the day after the benefits are issued. If SEBT benefits are not used within 122 days, they will be returned to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as required and not reissued. Once SEBT benefits have expired, DHHS cannot reissue or reinstate the benefits. We strongly encourage families to use their benefits within their time window. The chart below shows the expiration date and the last date for the SEBT benefits to be used based on the issuance date.

Example: Households issued benefits on May 15, 2025, will have until September 13, 2025, at 11:59 pm to use their SEBT benefits. Any unused benefits will be removed and returned to the USDA on September 14, 2025, at 12:01 am. 

A12: Families can request a replacement card until 2 weeks prior to their expiration date. Please see the chart above in Q11.

• Via EBT Edge (if your address hasn't changed) by calling 877-247-6328.
• You will need to report the card lost/stolen/damaged.
• When it asks for a date of birth, please use the child's date of birth that activated the card.
• For the social security number, please enter 0000.
• You will get transferred to a customer service representative. When speaking to the customer service representative, you can provide your account number if you know it. 
• Complete the SEBT Replacement Card Request Form. 
  
• Contact DHHS
• via phone at 1-800-383-4278 and selecting option 5; or
• via email DHHS.SEBT@nebraska.gov
  

A14: Families with questions about eligibility can contact DHHS at 800-383-4278. Please remember that it can take up to 10 business days to receive the SEBT cards after they are mailed.

If a family has specific questions regarding their eligibility, they can submit their question in writing to NDE.SEBT@nebraska.gov or DHHS.SEBT@nebraska.gov. 

Please include the parent's first and last name, mailing address, phone number, email address, children's first and last names and birthdates, school building and school district they attended in the 2024-25 school year, and summary of the issue. ​

A15: SEBT benefits can buy food at grocery stores, online food retailers, and farmer's markets that accept SNAP EBT. Retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Hy-Vee accept SNAP EBT. Families can use their SEBT card like a debit card after it has been activated and a PIN established. To use the SEBT card:

1. Select “EBT."
2. Swipe the card.
3. Enter your private PIN.