As usual, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) via the Food and Nutrition Service provided summer grocery payments for children.
Several states issued an extra $120 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payment to low income families to assist in food purchase especially, this summer with the children at home.
This additional one time payment is called SUN bucks.
However, families with more than one child can receive more than $120 dollars as the amount is given per child.
What are SUN bucks
SUN bucks are extra monetary benefits which assist families with school aged children to get free or reduced price school meals. It works like CalFresh but only during the summers when school children are home.
Who is eligible for SUN bucks
According to the United States Department of Agriculture(USDA), you are qualified for SUN bucks if:
- Your family is already enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) then you may be automatically considered to receive this benefits.
- Your child or children attend a school that offers the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program (NSLP/SBP).
- Your household income meets the required limit expected of participating families in the program.
You can also decide to apply directly to be a part of the program.
How do I get SUN Bucks
Here are multiple ways you can get enrolled in the program:
- You can get SUN Bucks when your child qualifies based on your household size and income limit or your child receives the reduced price or free meals at school.
- Children who are homeless, attending head start or in foster care are automatically enrolled in the program.
- You can also be a beneficiary if your family is enrolled in the CalFresh program. In this case, you will be automatically be enrolled without having to sign up for it.
- Families with children between age 0-22 who qualify for free or reduced price meals and who are not enrolled in CalFresh by completing a school form meal application or Alternative Income Form. This must be done before August 31st, 2024. Contact the school administratio to submit the form or application.
How do I receive my SUN bucks payment
The payment will be sent through your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card similar to your debit card. The payment will be done from June through September.
How can I get my SUN bucks card
Your card will be mailed to you. Some families begin receiving their 2024 cards in mid-June. Expect cards to come at different times for each of your children.
How much will I receive as SUN bucks
For June, July and August, the maximum you can receive for each child is $40. However, for a little convenience, you will get a one time sum of $120 per eligible child this summer.
How long do I have to spend my SUN bucks money
You must use the money on your EBY card before 122 days. After that, the money will expire and you can no longer use it.
Where can I buy things with my SUN bucks EBT card
You can get groceries or other things from Amazon, Walmart, farmers market and other places.
Get more answers to questions related to SUN bucks here.
SUN bucks participating States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- AmericanSamoa
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virgin Islands
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
For more information visit the USDA.
Will I be charged extra in food stamps in September for receiving SUN bucks
No. SUN bucks is a government benefit like CalFresh so you will not be charged extra for receiving benefits.
Maximum SNAP payment for September before COLA
According to the USDA, the maximum amount for SNAP payment by September remains the same. Adjustment will only be made during the federal fiscal year which starts by October 1.
For September 2024, here is the maximum amount of payment to expect:
| Household Size | Amount |
| 1 | $291 |
| 2 | $535 |
| 3 | $766 |
| 4 | $973 |
| 5 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $1,532 |
| 8 | $1,751 |
| Each additional member | +$219 |
SNAP payment schedule for September before COLA
This is the full list of payment schedule by state for September before Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA):
- Alabama: September 4-23
- Alaska: September 1
- Arizona: September 1-13
- Arkansas: September 4-13
- California: September 1-10
- Colorado: September 1-10
- Connecticut: September 1-3
- Delaware: September 2-23
- Florida: September 1-28
- Georgia: September 5-23
- Hawaii: September 3-5
- Idaho: September 1-10
- Illinois: September 1-10
- Indiana: September 5-23
- Iowa: September 1-10
- Kansas: September 1-10
- Kentucky: September 1-19
- Louisiana: September 1-23
- Maine: September 10-14
- Maryland: September 4-23
- Massachusetts: September 1-14
- Michigan: September 3-21
- Minnesota: September 4-13
- Mississippi: September 4-21
- Missouri: September 1-22
- Montana: September 2-6
- Nebraska: September 1-5
- Nevada: September 1-10
- New Hampshire: September 5
- New Jersey: September 1-5
- New Mexico: September 1-20
- New York: September 1-9
- North Carolina: September 3-21
- North Dakota: September 1
- Ohio: September 2-20
- Oklahoma: September 1-10
- Oregon: September 1-9
- Pennsylvania: Over the first 10 business days
- Rhode Island: September 1
- South Carolina: September 1-10
- South Dakota: September 10
- Tennessee: September 1-20
- Texas: September 1-28
- Utah: September 5, 11, and 15
- Vermont: September 1
- Virginia: September 1-7
- Washington: September 1-20
- West Virginia: September 1-9
- Wisconsin: September 1-15
- Wyoming: September 1-4
U.S. Territories and D.C.
- Guam: September 1-10
- Puerto Rico: September 4-22
- District of Columbia: September 1-10
- U.S. Virgin Islands: September 1
