SUN Bucks (Summer EBT)
SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, is a new program that helps cover the cost of groceries on top of existing programs like SNAP and WIC.
Starting in 2024, families with eligible school-aged children can get $120 per child to buy groceries during the summer months when schools are on summer break.
Who qualifies for SUN Bucks?
Children ages 6 to 18 who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals qualify. 1 For a household of three, that means a monthly income of up to $4,212 or 185% of the poverty level.
| Household Size | Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,461 |
| 2 | $3,336 |
| 3 | $4,212 |
| 4 | $5,088 |
| 5 | $5,963 |
| 6 | $6,839 |
| 7 | $7,715 |
| 8 | $8,590 |
Children in families that receive SNAP, TANF, or other qualifying assistance programs are generally certified automatically.
How much is SUN Bucks?
Each child gets $120 for the summer, distributed in a single, one-time payment or three monthly $40 installments depending on the state. The benefit is higher in Hawaii, where children receive $189 per child.2
What can I buy with SUN Bucks?
You can use SUN Bucks to pay for:
- fruits and vegetables
- meat, poultry, and fish
- dairy products
- breads and cereals
- snack foods and non-alcoholic drinks
You cannot use SUN Bucks to purchase:
- hot foods
- pet foods
- cleaning or household supplies
- personal hygiene items
- medicine
Do I need to apply for SUN Bucks?
Most eligible families already enrolled in SNAP, TANF, free school meals, or other qualifying assistance programs will be automatically certified for SUN Bucks and do not need to submit an application.
If you’re not sure whether you need to apply or will receive SUN Bucks automatically, use this eligibility checker to find out.
Which states are not participating in SUN Bucks?
States choose whether to run the program. For summer 2026, 12 states were not set to participate: 3
- Alaska
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Mississippi
- Oklahoma 4
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee (ended statewide in 2025, except for 15 counties)
- Texas
- Wyoming
If you live in one of these states, your children will not receive SUN Bucks, but they may still get free meals at summer sites through the Summer Food Service Program.
See the full list of school meal programs.
Sources & notes
Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:
Footnotes
-
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) ↩
-
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program: 2026 Benefit Levels ↩
-
Food Research & Action Center, Over 9.9 Million Eligible Children Could Miss Out on Summer EBT Food Benefits in 2026 ↩
-
Some Tribal nations in Oklahoma (Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation service area (includes Oklahoma and Cleveland counties), Choctaw Nation, Muscogee Nation, and Otoe-Missouria Nation) are participating in Summer EBT. ↩
About this information
SingleMotherGuide.com is an independent website and is not affiliated with any government agency. Program amounts and income limits are compiled from official federal and state sources, which are cited on the page, and are reviewed periodically and updated as those sources change.
The information is provided for general guidance and is not legal or financial advice. The administering agency makes the final determination of eligibility and benefit amounts. To report an error, please contact us.
Data freshness
Figures on this page are compiled from the public sources cited above and may change; refer to the cited sources for the most current information.
- Last updated
- Updated by
- Ada Hu