The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced the launch of the SUN Bucks program, which will provide an extra $120 per child in a one-time payment to purchase groceries during the summer months. This is because low-income families often depend on school canteens and food provided in other child feeding networks.
The program is called SUN Bucks, but the USDA explained that it could receive a different name depending on the locality where you live. Qualifying families can receive the $120 SUN Bucks in parallel with other benefits they are compatible with, such as SNAP and WIC benefits. Also, minor beneficiaries can continue to enjoy free SUN Meals at local meal sites or with SUN Meals To-Go.
How to Access the $120 SUN Bucks
If you are already enrolled in benefits such as SNAP, TANF or FDPIR, and you have school-age children, they will automatically be enrolled in the SUN Bucks program if it is available in your school district. On the other hand, if your child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP), and your household income does not exceed the established limits for receiving free or reduced-price school meals, they will also be automatically enrolled in the SUN Bucks program.
However, if you do not qualify among the above groups, you can apply for SUN Bucks, meeting the income limits and other requirements depending on your locality.
Once you’re enrolled, the $120 in SUN Bucks will automatically be linked to be added to your SNAP benefits EBT account. If not, you will be issued a separate electronic benefit transfer (EBT) specific card. If your location or your condition does not allow you to access an EBT card and use it freely, it will be sent to you in a form to be coordinated, depending on where you live.
List of States Participating in the Summer EBT – Sun Bucks Program
The summer EBT program will not be available in the totallity of the states, since a bunch of them opted out months ago. Find out if your state of residence is participating, according to the following list:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- American Samoa
- 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
No SUN Bucks in Your Area? Other Initiatives You Could Use
No kid in America should suffer hunger, and that’s what these initiatives are for. The SUN Meals are available at schools, parks, and other locations across the United States. and in some rural areas, kids can get SUN Meals To-Go.
The SUN Meals program is active in the following states:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia