In a concerted effort to combat hunger among children during the summer months, California will be one of the first states in the nation to launch the SUN Bucks program, also known as Summer EBT. Starting this month, families throughout the state will receive $120 for each eligible child, empowering them to purchase groceries and ensure nutritional security throughout the summer.
This new federal food program will be in addition to existing initiatives available within communities such as summer meals, CalFresh, and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). SUN Bucks will operate similarly to CalFresh but will specifically cater to the needs of families with eligible school-aged children during the summer months.
Led by the California Department of Social Services in collaboration with the California Department of Education, the SUN Bucks program will automatically enroll approximately five million eligible children based on existing school and social services data, as detailed on the SUN Bucks program website.
Children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through a school meal application or an Alternative Income Form, or who receive CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal are automatically enrolled. Additionally, children who are attending Head Start, experiencing homelessness, living in foster care, or part of a migrant family are also automatically eligible. Most eligible families will not need to take action to receive SUN Bucks.
While there is no application for the SUN Bucks program, children who are not automatically eligible must apply by completing and submitting a school meal program application or Alternative Income Form by Aug. 31, or they will not receive SUN Bucks benefits for summer 2024. Families can obtain the correct application from their school or school administrator’s office.
“We are thrilled that many of our customers will be eligible for this new program, providing nutritious food to families throughout the summer,” said Allison Gonzalez, Assistant Director of the Self-Sufficiency Division at DPSS. “We encourage all eligible families to participate in this program and ensure we have their updated contact information.”
Families qualifying for free or reduced-priced meals can also update their address information through their child's school of attendance.
Beginning this month, SUN Bucks benefits will be disbursed via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Each eligible child will receive one card loaded with $120 for grocery purchases, accepted at most grocery stores, farmers markets, and authorized retailers, including online through Amazon and Walmart.
It's important to note that SUN Bucks cards must be used within 122 days of being loaded, as any remaining balance will expire after this period. Unfortunately, expired benefits cannot be reinstated or reloaded onto the cards.