Back to school… and back to budgeting
It’s that time of year again—the smell of freshly sharpened pencils is in the air, parents are hunting for the perfect backpack, and kids are wondering how many weeks of summer vacation they have left. But for millions of American families, back-to-school season is about more than crayons and class schedules. It’s also time to plan how to put food on the table—and for many, that means navigating big changes to SNAP and EBT rules.
This fall, new rules and updates are rolling out across the country that could affect your SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits and EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card usage. With rising costs, new federal guidelines, and updated state regulations, it’s more important than ever to stay informed to make sure your benefits arrive on time — and that you’re using them the right way.
Let’s walk through what’s changing, what it means for your family, and how to make the most of your EBT card this school season.
First, what exactly is an EBT card?
If you’re new to the system, here’s a quick refresher: EBT stands for Electronic Benefit Transfer. It’s the plastic card you receive when you’re approved for public assistance programs like SNAP (food stamps), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), and even certain emergency state food programs.
Think of it like a debit card, but only for approved food items. Each month, a deposit is loaded to the card, and it can be used at grocery stores, farmers markets, and authorized retailers to purchase qualifying items like fruits, veggies, meats, dairy, and more.
Why are there new EBT rules in 2025?
With inflation still biting into family budgets and food insecurity on the rise, the federal government and individual states are overhauling how SNAP and EBT benefits work—especially for families with school-aged children. The goal? To reduce fraud, target assistance where it’s needed most, and make sure that kids don’t go hungry when the school bell rings.
Plus, there’s a new player on the field: SUN Bucks, a summer EBT program that launched to help feed kids while school’s out. Its rollout — and how it overlaps with regular school-year benefits — is leading to more policy changes than ever before.
No more auto-enrollment for everyone
In past years, if your child attended a school with universal free lunch, you were likely automatically enrolled in school-year SNAP or EBT benefits. Not anymore.
This year, some states are requiring families to reapply or update their information, even if their kids are still attending the same school. If you’re expecting a benefit but haven’t seen it hit your account yet, don’t panic — just check your state EBT or SNAP portal to confirm whether you need to take action.
Pro Tip: Don’t assume you’re still in the system just because you qualified last year!
When will you get your back-to-school deposit?
If you’re watching your EBT account like a hawk, waiting for that much-needed boost — you’re not alone. But don’t worry if your neighbor’s deposit arrives before yours.
Each state runs on its own timeline, and some won’t distribute back-to-school EBT until September or even October. Others are rolling it out as early as August.
Read this later:
Can I claim Food Stamps as income for credit application purposes and what should you report?
Florida SNAP Payment Schedule – What days are SNAP Payments deposited in July 2025?
So what should you do?
Just make sure you’ve done everything on your end: your application or school info is up to date, your EBT card is active, and your mailing address is current. If everything checks out, it’s probably just a state scheduling delay.
No more slipping in that hot rotisserie chicken
Here’s where things get a little more serious. Stricter enforcement is coming when it comes to unauthorized EBT purchases.
Let’s be clear: You cannot use SNAP/EBT to buy:
- Hot prepared foods (like those tempting grocery store chicken wings)
- Energy drinks
- Vitamins or supplements
- Cleaning supplies or toiletries
- Alcohol or tobacco
Several states are now using artificial intelligence to flag suspicious spending. If the system thinks you’re trying to cheat the rules, your card could be frozen, or worse, your benefits could be suspended altogether.
Moral of the story: Stick to the rules, shop smart, and when in doubt — ask!
SUN bucks vs. school EBT: You may not get both
The Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) program gave families up to $120 per child this summer. Sounds great, right? But there’s a catch.
Not every state is offering both SUN Bucks and back-to-school EBT. Some states have chosen to combine the two, while others treat them as separate programs — which means if you received SUN Bucks, you may not receive fall benefits.
Confusing? Absolutely. That’s why it’s critical to check your state’s policy and see whether you qualify for both programs or just one.
Stolen EBT benefits? States are fighting back
Unfortunately, EBT card fraud has become a growing problem. Hackers have been stealing benefits by skimming card numbers and cloning accounts — leaving families without access to food.
In response, major states like California, Texas, and New York are rolling out new protections:
- Mandatory stronger PINs
- Freeze and unfreeze your card via mobile apps
- Faster replacement timelines for stolen benefits
So if your card has been acting strange or you see charges you didn’t make—don’t wait. Call your state’s EBT customer service line immediately, and report any suspicious activity.
Is your store still EBT-approved?
Not every store that used to accept EBT still does. In 2025, the USDA and state agencies are cracking down on stores that violate food safety laws or abuse the EBT system.
That means some large retailers—or even local favorites—might have lost their approval. If you’ve ever tried to check out and had your card declined when it should’ve worked, this could be why.
Tip: Visit the official USDA store locator to confirm whether your favorite store is still on the EBT list.
