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A new, permanent federal child nutrition program known as SUN Bucks aims to keep children fed during the summer months when they are not in school. Through the program, also called Summer EBT, eligible children will receive an EBT card that can be used to purchase groceries.

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The program will be run by the state’s Department of Human Services, with support from the Department of Education. Children who are eligible and automatically signed up for SUN Bucks include:

• Children ages 6 to 18 who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or medical assistance with qualifying income during the school year or summer 2024. This includes home-schooled and cyber-schooled children.
• Children who attend schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and either:
• Applies for and is approved for free and reduced-price school meals during the school year
• Receives SNAP, TANF, or medical assistance with qualifying income at any time during the school year or summer
• Is directly certified for free school meals as a foster child, migrant, or someone experiencing homelessness

Children who attend schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and whose families meet the income guidelines for SUN Bucks but were not automatically enrolled in the program by being in one of the categories listed above may be eligible. However, they would need to apply directly to receive SUN Bucks.

The monthly household gross income limit for SUN Bucks is:

• $2,248 for a household of one
• $3,041 for a household of two
• $3,833 for a household of three
• $4,625 for a household of four
• $5,418 for a household of five
• +$8,732 for each additional family member

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The benefit amount for summer 2024 is $40 per summer month per child. Payments will be made as one payment of $120 by September 30, 2024 at the latest. This timeline will be updated as DHS gets closer to implementing the program.

Qualifying families who already receive SNAP benefits will see the benefit added to their card. For those who do not receive SNAP benefits, an EBT card will be mailed to them. Those interested in the program should make sure that their child’s school has a current mailing address.

Additional information on how to activate the EBT card, how to check the card’s balance, and how the card can be used to buy food is available online.