The rising cost of food has made it tough for many families to keep their pantries stocked. That’s why the $120 Sun Bucks for SNAP Summer EBT program is such a big deal.
Launched in July 2024, this initiative aims to help families ensure their children get the nutritious meals they need during the summer. Let’s dive into what this program is all about and how you can benefit from it.
$120 Sun Bucks for SNAP Summer EBT
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) introduced the $120 Sun Bucks program to help families tackle inflation and food costs.
This creative initiative aims to boost overall health and well-being by enabling families to buy nutritious food. Under this program, families can receive $120 per qualifying child through the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system, also known as SUN Bucks or Summer EBT.
What Are SUN Bucks?
Summer EBT, or SUN Bucks, provides food benefits to families with school-age children during the summer. This program complements other benefits like SNAP, helping families access summer meals. If eligible, you can get $120 per child for the summer.
These benefits are loaded onto an electronic card, which can be used for online purchases, in-store shopping, and even at farmer’s markets.
Existing QUEST or Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) cardholders will have funds automatically added. Families without a P-EBT or QUEST card will receive a pre-loaded QUEST card in the mail. This program is a vital resource for ensuring families can maintain a nutritious diet despite economic challenges, benefiting communities nationwide.
| Program Name | Sun Bucks |
|---|---|
| Amount | $120 |
| Payment Date | August 2024 |
| Website | www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sunbucks |
Eligibility Breakdown
The $120 Sun Bucks for SNAP Summer EBT is available to many students. Children receiving TANF, SNAP, or free or reduced-price school meals qualify for SUN Bucks. Many children will receive benefits automatically, but some families need to apply.
Generally, a child is automatically eligible if their household receives SNAP benefits or if they are approved for free or reduced-price school meals. In these cases, benefits are granted automatically.
If this doesn’t apply to you, you need to apply for Summer EBT. To qualify, your child must attend a school participating in the School Breakfast Program (SBP) or National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and meet income requirements.
Not all states will offer Summer EBT in 2024, but many will. Check with your state, territory, or tribal authorities to learn more about eligibility and application requirements.
Key Points
- During the summer, families can use $120 from Summer EBT, or “SUN Bucks,” to buy groceries.
- SUN Bucks are automatically distributed to children eligible for SNAP or TANF benefits and those approved for free or reduced-price school meals.
- Families in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania can apply for SUN Bucks.
- The US government announced that eligible participants in several states would receive $120 Sun Bucks as SNAP benefits in July 2024.
- Congress made the “SUN Bucks” permanent in 2023, providing $120 for food to each qualifying school-aged child. States like Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are participating.
Applying for SUN Bucks
Attending a school where all students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals doesn’t guarantee a student will receive Sun Bucks.
Unless families meet automatic qualifying criteria, they must apply for SUN Bucks. The government will distribute payments for summer 2024 from mid-August to the end of October, with applications accepted through August 31.
Benefits will either be mailed on new Summer EBT cards or automatically applied to existing EBT cards.
The $120 Sun Bucks program is a vital tool for families needing extra help with groceries during the summer. By ensuring children have access to nutritious food, this initiative helps improve the health and well-being of communities nationwide.
FAQs
Who qualifies for SUN Bucks?
Children receiving SNAP, TANF, or free/reduced-price meals qualify.
How much is the benefit?
Each qualifying child receives $120 for the summer.
When will payments be made?
Payments will be distributed from mid-August to October.
Do I need to apply?
Many families receive benefits automatically; others must apply.
Where can I use the benefits?
Benefits can be used online, in-store, and at farmer’s markets.
