A new federal program will offer funding to families receiving SNAP benefits in New Mexico. Families who apply and qualify for SUN Bucks, also known as S-EBT or Summer EBT, is a special economic benefits program for low-income families with school-age children or adolescents. Through this program a total of 120 USD will be given for each child for those who qualify. The money will be made available to the parents or legal guardians of these minors through a card that works exactly the same as a debit or credit card.
Parents can use this money to guarantee the purchase of food in places such as supermarkets, farmers markets and online retailers, in order to feed their children during the summer months when schools and their canteens are closed.
Who Is Eligible for Sun Bucks in the US?
Minors, students who have received free or reduced meals under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP) automatically qualify to receive the $120 from the SUN Bucks program. Those children whose school has reported that the child or household is a migrant or is in foster care also qualify.
Children who have received SNAP benefits, MAGI-Children’s Medicaid, or TANF at any time during the school year and were between the ages of 5 and 18 also qualify. Parents will be sent a notice to inform them of their child’s automatic eligibility.
Apply for SUN Bucks Right Now for Your Children
The state of New Mexico is one of those participating in the Summer EBT program. To begin receiving the benefits of this program, children in the state must be formally enrolled in an NSLP/SBP participating school in New Mexico. Have a household income of less than 185% of the FPL (NSLP income guidelines). They must also prove that they are permanently residing in the state of New Mexico.
Should I submit an application for the Summer SNAP Benefits?
The New Mexico Department of Human Services explained that there may be some students who are not automatically eligible for SUN Bucks. Students who are not eligible under that modality without application will be required to submit an application; however, if a student does not attend an NSLP/SBP participating school, the student is not eligible for SUN Bucks.
The Department of Human Services said it plans to issue SUN Bucks in August 2024. Students who are eligible will automatically be the first issuing group. Those students who apply for SUN Bucks eligibility will be in the second group to receive benefits. Children who were eligible will automatically receive an information notice for SUN Bucks starting in mid-July.
From the moment the benefits are handed over, families have 122 days to use them. After that period, if there are any benefits that have not been used, they will disappear completely without the possibility of a claim.
New Mexicans will receive an additional $135 in SNAP benefits
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will provide 11,834 New Mexicans with an additional $135 in food stamps, the New Mexico Department of Human Services (HSD) said in a press release.
The idea of these extra funds is to help families with additional food support during the month of June, both SNAP benefit recipients and adults over the age of 60 and adults with disabilities enrolled in the program.
The new EBT program aims to keep New Mexico students fed during the summer. The one-time benefit will be awarded during June to eligible individuals who received the State SNAP Supplement in February of this year. The statement said the support is part of an effort to reduce food insecurity in the state.