Summer EBT, also known as SUN Bucks, is a program that gives families with eligible children $120 checks for pre-child food benefits. The United States Department of Agriculture, through the Food and Nutrition Service, announced the Summer Grocery Benefits for Kids. This new USDA program is known as SUN Bucks.
The SUN Bucks program is set to provide additional financial support to families with children over the summer months. This program aims to ensure that children who rely on school meals during the academic year continue to receive nutritional support while schools are out. The $120 benefits are loaded onto an existing Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or a new card issued specifically for this purpose.
Although the maximum benefit is $120, a recipient household can get more depending on the number of children in the family. Since $120 is the maximum for a child, if there is more than one child, the benefits will be multiplied by the number of eligible children in the household.
SUN Bucks benefits duration and timeline
Here are the key points about the duration of the program;
- SUN Bucks is not a monthly benefit but a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child for the summer period.
- The $120 benefits amount remains the same regardless of when the child is determined eligible during the summer.
- SUN Bucks benefits expire 122 days after the date they are made available on the household’s EBT or SUN Bucks card. The benefiting households receive a 30-day notice before the expiration date.
How it works
The SUN Bucks benefits are put on an EBT card, and each eligible child in the household will receive a card with $120 to buy groceries. The program is divided into June, July, and August, which is $40 per month for the three months (June, July, and August). SUN Bucks cards can be used to buy food at most grocery stores, farmers markets, online stores like Amazon and Wal-Mart, and other authorized retailers that accept the EBT card.
Eligibility requirements for SUN Bucks
Children automatically qualify for the SUN Bucks program if they meet the following criteria;
- The child must be of school age (typically 5–18 years old)
- The household must meet one of the following criteria:
- Participation in Other Assistance Programs: Children in households receiving SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Medicaid are automatically eligible.
- Enrollment in a School Participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP): Most public schools, as well as some private and charter schools, are part of this program. Virtual schools and homeschools are excluded.
- Foster Care: Children in foster care automatically qualify for SUN Bucks
Families who do not meet the automatic eligibility criteria or are unsure about their status must apply for SUN Bucks. This includes:
- Children attending NSLP schools but who did not apply for free or reduced-price meals.
- Households where children receive Medicaid through the Children with Special Needs category (PH 95) or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Applications can be completed online, and families must provide information about household members, contact details, and income levels. No additional documentation is required.
You can visit the USDA’s website for more details on the requirements for SUN Bucks: https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sunbucks.
