Summer in New York City is expensive — but right now, there are several city and state programs designed specifically to help lower-income New Yorkers get through the season with a little more breathing room. From extra grocery money for kids to half-price subway rides, these benefits are real, available, and worth applying for if you qualify. Here’s what’s open right now and how to act on each one.
Summer EBT: $120 Per Child for Groceries
When school lets out, the free and reduced-price meals kids get during the school year disappear. Summer EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) was created specifically to fill that gap. Eligible families with school-age children between 6 and 16 receive $120 per child to use at grocery stores and farmers markets — anywhere that accepts SNAP EBT — starting in June.
Most eligible families don’t need to apply. If your household already receives SNAP, Cash Assistance, Medicaid, or your child qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals, benefits will be deposited automatically and you’ll receive a letter. If you’re not automatically enrolled but your child attends a National School Lunch Program school, you can apply online through summerebt.ny.gov before September 8, 2026.
The 2026 income limits are generous: a household of 4 can earn up to $4,957 per month and still qualify. Benefits go on an EBT card — if you lose it, call the NYS EBT helpline at 888-328-6399 or use the ebtEDGE app. Note: the 2026 application portal hasn’t opened yet, but the deadline is in September, so keep checking summerebt.ny.gov.
One important note: benefits expire after 122 days, so use them before they disappear.
Fair Fares: Half-Price Subway and Bus Rides Year-Round
If you’re a New Yorker between 18 and 64 who’s struggling to afford transit, Fair Fares NYC cuts your subway and bus fares by 50%. At current MTA prices, that’s real savings that add up fast — especially for anyone commuting to work or job interviews.
To qualify, you must be a New York City resident aged 18–64, not enrolled in another reduced-fare MTA program, and have a household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (roughly $18,072 per year for a household of 1 and $37,440 per year for a household of 4, per ACCESS NYC). All NYC residents can apply, regardless of immigration status.
You can apply online through ACCESS NYC or in person at a Fair Fares office (one per borough). Once approved, the city mails you a Fair Fares OMNY card — the full process can take up to 30 days plus three weeks for card delivery, so apply now rather than waiting.
Free Summer Programming for Kids and Teens
Mayor Mamdani launched “Summer in N.Y.C.” in late May 2026, a new interactive website connecting young New Yorkers to free and low-cost summer programming near them. According to the official announcement from the Mayor’s Office, families can search by age, ZIP code, interests, and travel distance to find activities ranging from basketball leagues and painting classes to soccer programs and free FIFA World Cup watch parties.
The website is at NYC.gov/Summer. There’s no income limit to browse — it’s available to any NYC family with kids or teens looking for structured, safe summer activities. The site also links to free summer meals programs.
SNAP: The Foundation Most Eligible New Yorkers Still Haven’t Applied For
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps) remains the single largest food assistance program available to New Yorkers — and a significant number of eligible households still haven’t enrolled. If your household income falls within the limits for your size, the monthly benefit can make a meaningful difference in your grocery budget.
For 2026, the gross monthly income limits for SNAP eligibility in New York include $1,957 for a household of 1, $2,637 for a household of 2, and $4,957 for a household of 4, per the NYC HRA SNAP page. Households with seniors, people with disabilities, or children may qualify under different rules.
One important update for summer 2026: SNAP work requirements expanded in June 2026 for adults aged 60–64 under new federal rules. If you’re in that age range and have a child under 14, a disability, receive SSI, or are enrolled in school half-time, you are exempt. When in doubt, apply anyway — HRA workers determine exemptions during the process.
The fastest way to apply is online at ACCESS NYC or directly through HRA. After submitting, you’ll complete a phone interview; HRA has 30 days to decide, and households eligible for expedited processing can receive an initial benefit within 7 days.
How to Stack These Benefits
These programs aren’t mutually exclusive — you can receive several at once. A family of four receiving SNAP is automatically eligible for Summer EBT without applying. A working adult receiving SNAP can also apply for Fair Fares. A teen in any NYC family can use the Summer in NYC website for free activities regardless of income.
The single most useful first step for most New Yorkers is the eligibility screener at ACCESS NYC. It walks through your household situation and tells you which programs you’re likely to qualify for — across food, housing, health, and transit — in about 10 minutes.
Action Steps
- Families with school-age kids: Check your mailbox for a Summer EBT letter. If you don’t receive one and think you qualify, apply at summerebt.ny.gov before September 8, 2026.
- Working adults struggling with transit costs: Apply for Fair Fares at ACCESS NYC → Fair Fares or visit a borough Fair Fares office.
- Families not yet on SNAP: Use the screener at ACCESS NYC, then apply through HRA online or call 311.
- All NYC families with kids: Browse free and low-cost summer programs at NYC.gov/Summer.
- Not sure what you qualify for: Start at access.nyc.gov/eligibility — the screener covers dozens of programs and takes about 10 minutes.
New York City is expensive, but it also has some of the most robust public benefit programs in the country. The problem isn’t that the help isn’t there — it’s that not enough people know it exists or how to apply. These four programs are live, verified, and accepting applications right now.
