NEW YORK (WABC) — Governor Kathy Hochul announced Thursday that the state had distributed nearly $200 million in food assistance to more than 1.5 million low-income children.

The funds provided are part of the state’s new Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program.

“Access to healthy, nutritious food is critical to children’s health and well-being,” Hochul said. “As New York continues to put money back into the pockets of working families, we have already begun sending food assistance to over 1.5 million children – and we will continue to provide these benefits to more families in need.”

As part of the support, the state sends eligible families $120 per child to help pay for healthy meals.

Hochul said the state expects two million children to be eligible for the assistance.

“No child should ever go hungry, which is why I fought to secure federal funding for the Summer EBT program,” added Senator Chuck Schumer. “Summer is often the time of year when food insecurity for children is at its highest, and this support for families comes just in time for New Yorkers.”

Eligible children will receive EBT food subsidies on an EBT card that their families can use in a similar way to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) subsidies. Some eligible families are already receiving these subsidies, and the subsidies will continue to be paid out in the coming weeks before school starts.

The application deadline for children and families is September 3rd.

If you would like to learn more about eligibility, click here.

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