SUN Bucks - Summer Meal Program

What is SUN Bucks?

The USDA has launched a new, permanent program to provide food assistance to children and families during the summer. The SUN Bucks program will officially launch in summer 2024! SUN Bucks will provide grocery-buying benefits to qualifying families with school-aged children during the summer months when schools are on summer break. SUN Bucks is sometimes referred to as Summer EBT.

SUN Bucks benefits are issued to debit-like cards (EBT cards) that families can use to purchase nutritious food. Beginning in summer 2024, families will receive $120 per eligible child for the summer period.

Who Will Qualify to Receive SUN Bucks?

Some families will have to apply for the SUN Bucks program, but many students will automatically qualify for the program. Children will automatically qualify if they already participate in any of the following programs:

• Free or Reduced-Price meals at school because they meet the FRP program income threshold, or
• Food and Nutrition Services (FNS, food stamps), or
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, Work First, cash assistance), or
• Medicaid and household income below 185% of the federal poverty level.

For more information, visit: SUN Bucks ' NCDHHS