SUN Bucks (Summer EBT): How to Get $120 Per Child for Groceries

Summer break should be a time of fun and relaxation for kids, but for millions of families, it brings a stressful question: “How are we going to afford lunch now that school is out?” During the school year, free and reduced-price meals are a lifeline. When cafeterias close for the summer, that safety net disappears, leaving a significant gap in the family budget.

The USDA’s new permanent program, SUN Bucks (officially known as Summer EBT), is designed to fix this. It provides families with $120 per eligible child to buy groceries during the summer months.

This isn’t a loan, and it isn’t a complicated grant you have to write an essay for. It is a direct benefit that works just like SNAP (food stamps). You get a card (or funds added to your existing card), you go to the grocery store, and you buy food. It gives you the dignity and flexibility to choose what your family eats—whether that’s fresh fruit, milk, meat, or cultural staples that you can’t find at a pre-packed summer meal site.

While $120 might not cover every single meal for three months, it is a significant help. For a family with three school-aged children, that’s $360 in extra grocery money—enough to stock the pantry with essentials or cover a few weeks of fresh produce.

Key Details at a Glance

Detail	Information
Benefit Amount	$120 per eligible child (typically $40/month for 3 months)
Distribution Method	EBT Card (new card or loaded to existing SNAP card)
Usage	Can be used to buy SNAP-eligible food at grocery stores, farmers markets, etc.
Application Status	Automatic for many; application required for some
Participating Areas	Most U.S. states, territories, and Tribal Nations (check your state’s status)
Program Name	SUN Bucks (Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer)

What This Opportunity Offers

Flexible Grocery Money Unlike the “Summer Food Service Program,” which requires kids to travel to a specific park or community center at a specific time to eat a prepared meal, SUN Bucks puts the purchasing power in your hands. You shop when you want, where you want. If your child has allergies or specific dietary needs, you can buy exactly what works for them.

Stackable Benefits This is crucial: You can use SUN Bucks AND still go to summer meal sites. They are not mutually exclusive. You can send your kids to the local park for a free lunch and use your SUN Bucks card to buy dinner ingredients. It also stacks with WIC and regular SNAP benefits.

Dignity and Discretion Because it uses an EBT card system, using SUN Bucks looks just like paying with a debit card. There is no stigma of standing in a special line. It integrates seamlessly into your normal grocery shopping routine.

Who Should Apply (and Who Gets it Automatically)

The eligibility rules can be a bit confusing because they mix “automatic” enrollment with “application-based” enrollment. Here is the breakdown.

You are AUTOMATICALLY eligible (no application needed) if:

Your family already receives SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR benefits.
Your child is already approved for free or reduced-price school meals based on your income.
Your child is in foster care, is homeless, or is a migrant youth.

You NEED TO APPLY if:

Your child attends a school that offers free meals to everyone (Community Eligibility Provision) but your specific household income hasn’t been verified.
You don’t receive other benefits, but your income has recently dropped (e.g., job loss) and you now qualify for free/reduced meals.
Your child attends a private school that participates in the National School Lunch Program, but you haven’t filled out a meal application.

Income Limits: Generally, children are eligible if their household income is at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. For a family of four, this is roughly $55,500 per year (though this number changes slightly each year, so check current guidelines).

Insider Tips for Ensuring You Get Paid

I’ve helped families navigate benefit systems for years, and here are the “gotchas” that cause people to miss out on money they are owed.

1. Update Your Address NOW This is the #1 reason families don’t get their benefits. If you moved during the school year and didn’t tell the school or the SNAP office, your SUN Bucks card will be mailed to your old apartment. Go to your school district’s parent portal and your state’s benefit portal and ensure your mailing address is 100% correct.

2. Don’t Throw Away “Junk Mail” The card often comes in a plain white envelope that looks like spam. It might not say “FREE MONEY” on the front. It might look like a boring government notice. Open everything that comes from the Department of Human Services or your state’s education department.

3. The “CEP” Trap If your child’s school gives free lunch to everyone (Community Eligibility Provision), the school might not have your financial data on file. This means the state doesn’t know you are low-income, so you won’t get the automatic payment. You must fill out an “Alternative Income Form” or the SUN Bucks application to prove you qualify. Ask your school secretary specifically about this.

4. Keep the Card If you receive a specific SUN Bucks card (separate from your SNAP card), do not throw it away when the balance hits zero. States often reload the same card the following summer. Keeping it saves you the hassle of waiting for a replacement.

5. Check State Participation Not every state opted into this program. Some governors declined the federal funding. Before you spend hours trying to apply, Google “[Your State] SUN Bucks 2025” to confirm your state is participating.

Application Timeline

Since this is a summer program, the timeline is compressed into the spring.

March-April: The Preparation Phase

Action: Check if your state is participating.
Action: Update your address with your school and local benefits office.
Action: If you are not on SNAP, fill out a school meal application if you haven’t done so this year.

May: The Application Window

Action: Most states open their specific SUN Bucks applications in late April or May. If you aren’t automatically enrolled, apply now.
Action: Watch your mail. Some states send “Notice of Eligibility” letters before the money arrives.

June-July: Distribution

Action: Benefits are typically loaded in June or July. It might be a lump sum ($120) or monthly installments ($40/month).
Action: Activate your card immediately (set the PIN).

August-September: Expiration Watch

Action: Use the funds. Unlike regular SNAP benefits which can roll over for a long time, SUN Bucks often have a shorter expiration period (usually 122 days after issuance). If you don’t use them, the state takes them back.

Required Materials

If you have to apply, have these ready:

Proof of Income: Pay stubs for the last month, or a letter from your employer.
Child’s Information: Full legal name, date of birth, and school ID number (if known).
Social Security Numbers: Helpful for faster processing, though not always strictly mandatory for the child in some jurisdictions (check local rules).
Case Numbers: If you receive Medicaid or other benefits, having your case number helps link your application.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming You Are Ineligible “I work, so I probably don’t qualify.” Many working families qualify! The income limit (185% of poverty level) is higher than many people think. If you are struggling to pay for groceries, apply.

Waiting Too Long Some states have a “priority deadline” to get benefits at the start of summer. If you apply in August, you might still get the money, but it won’t help you in June when the fridge is empty.

Confusing P-EBT with SUN Bucks Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) is over. SUN Bucks is the new, permanent replacement. The rules are slightly different, so don’t assume that because you got P-EBT, you will automatically get this. (Though most will, the “CEP Trap” mentioned above is a key difference).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use SUN Bucks for hot food? Generally, no. Just like SNAP, you cannot buy hot, prepared foods (like a rotisserie chicken or a slice of pizza from the deli). You can buy cold foods, fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, and seeds/plants to grow food.

Does this affect my immigration status? Under current “Public Charge” rules, using disaster relief or pandemic-era food benefits generally did not count against you. SUN Bucks is a permanent nutrition program. While using it is generally safe for most green card holders, if you are undocumented or on a specific visa, consult a qualified immigration attorney or a trusted local immigrant advocacy group to be 100% sure.

What if I have split custody? Usually, the parent who applied for school meals or the parent who receives the SNAP benefits gets the card. If you share custody 50/50, you need to decide who applies. The state will not issue two cards for the same child.

Can I use the card in another state? Yes! SUN Bucks are federal benefits administered by states. You can use your EBT card at any store in the US that accepts SNAP, even if you are on vacation or visiting relatives.

What if my child graduates high school this year? If they were still enrolled in school during the academic year immediately preceding the summer, they are usually eligible for that final summer benefit.

How to Apply

Check Your Status: Visit the USDA SUN Bucks Map to see if your state is participating and find the link to your specific state agency.
Contact Your School: If you aren’t sure if you are “free/reduced” certified, call your school’s nutrition department.
Apply Online: Most states have a simple online portal. It takes about 15 minutes.

Don’t leave $120 on the table. That’s a cart full of groceries that your family deserves.