'SUN Bucks' Program Supports Summer Food Access for Students

"SUN Bucks" (Summer EBT) is a new program that will provide qualified students with $120 to use to buy groceries while school is out this summer. Students qualify for the program based on family income or if they already receive certain state benefits. The SUN Bucks benefits, a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child in each household, will be deposited onto new SUN Bucks cards and mailed beginning in early June.

Some children will be automatically eligible for SUN Bucks, while others will need to apply. Students may be automatically eligible for Summer EBT if they:

• Are enrolled at a school that offers the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) and qualify through a meal application or Family Income Survey; or
• Are age 8–18 and are a member of a household that receives benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food Assistance Program (FAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or State-Funded Assistance (SFA).

Students who do not qualify automatically can apply by submitting a Summer EBT application. To qualify for SUN Bucks, these students must:

• Be enrolled at a school that participates in the NSLP or SBP, and
• Live in a household that meets NSLP Income Eligibility Guidelines to qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

The SUN Bucks application will soon be available online in English and Spanish. Applications will be accepted through August 31.

Families may call the SUN Bucks Call Center with questions at 1-833-543-3230. More information can be found on the SUN Bucks webpage.