Millions of families across the United States have been relying on the extra help from SNAP’s Summer Bucks 2025 program. But the clock is ticking. If you or someone you know has not yet used this $120 per child benefit, there is a key deadline in October you cannot ignore. Once the date passes, the money will simply disappear from your EBT card.
What is the snap summer bucks 2025 program
The Summer Bucks program is part of the federal government’s Summer EBT initiative, which started in 2023. It was designed to make sure kids had access to healthy food when school was out for summer break.
- Families received an extra $120 per eligible child on their EBT card.
- The money could be used the same way as other SNAP benefits, mainly for groceries.
- It was aimed at fighting food insecurity during the summer months.
For many parents, this help made a real difference. But with the school year back in session, the program is ending for 2025.
When is the october deadline to claim benefits
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that Summer Bucks benefits will expire in October if they are not used. The main date to watch is October 17, 2025. That is when most families who received the money in June will see it vanish if it has not been spent.
Here are some examples of how expiration works:
- Benefits deposited on June 18 will expire on October 17.
- Benefits deposited on June 21 will expire on October 20.
- Benefits deposited on July 8 will expire on November 6.
- Benefits deposited on August 20 will expire on December 19.
- Benefits deposited on September 11 will expire on January 10, 2026.
If you are not sure when your Summer Bucks were deposited, you should check your EBT account as soon as possible. Once the expiration date hits, the money is gone for good.
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Why the program ends in october
The expiration of Summer Bucks ties directly to the school calendar. Once kids return to school in the fall, they again have access to free or reduced-price meals during the day. Because of that, the government phases out the summer food aid.
The USDA believes that the October deadline is an important factor that ensures the temporary benefit is used in the right way — only covering summer months. However, there are critics who claim that the higher grocery prices are a problem for families throughout the year and that this cutoff leaves a lot of them in difficulty.
Which states do not participate in summer bucks 2025
It is also important to note that not every state joined the Summer Bucks program. Participation is voluntary, and 11 states chose not to take part in 2025.
These states include:
- Idaho
- Wyoming
- South Dakota
- Iowa
- Indiana
- Tennessee
- South Carolina
- Georgia
- Florida
- Mississippi
- Texas
- Alaska
For families living in these states, the October deadline does not apply because they never received the Summer Bucks benefit in the first place.
What families should do before the deadline
If you still have Summer Bucks money sitting on your EBT card, you need to use it before it expires. Here are a few simple steps:
- Check your EBT balance today to confirm if the funds are still there.
- Look at the date of your deposit to know your exact expiration deadline.
- Plan your grocery shopping so that you use up the benefit in time.
- Remember that once the deadline passes, you cannot get the money back.
The $120 may not seem like much in the face of rising food prices, but for many families, it can help cover essentials like bread, milk, fruits, and vegetables.
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