July 16, 2024 Applications Available for Federal Summer Child Nutrition Program Applications are now open for a new federal child nutrition program known as SUN Bucks that aims to keep children fed during the summer months when they are not in school. Eligible children can receive an EBT card through the program, also known as Summer EBT, that can be used to purchase groceries. Learn More For the program’s first year, paper applications are available for children who are not automatically eligible. Benefits will be issued to all eligible children by October. The program provides households with a one-time payment of $120 for each eligible child to buy food while school is out. Benefits can be used at local participating retailers to purchase groceries. Many children will receive these benefits automatically, but some households will need to apply. The benefits will be added to an existing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP)/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) EBT card or a newly-issued Summer EBT card. Eligibility Children who applied and were approved for free or reduced-price school meals or who receive SNAP or TANF are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks. Most children who receive Medicaid are also eligible because their income level is under the level for the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program. Children who get Medicaid through the Children with Special Needs category (PH 95) and those who are in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will have to apply for SUN Bucks. Children are automatically eligible and do not need to apply for the program if: Their household received SNAP or TANF between July 1, 2023 and Aug. 31, 2024 and the child is enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program; or if they are not enrolled in a school that participates in the programs but were between the ages of six and 18 during the timeline The child received Medicaid with qualifying income for the lunch or breakfast program between July 1, 2023 and Aug. 31, 2024 and the child is enrolled in a school that participates in the school lunch or breakfast programs; or if the child is not enrolled in a school that participates in the programs but is between the ages of six and 18 during the timeline The child is in Head Start, is homeless, in foster care, or is a runaway and the child is enrolled in a school that participates in the school lunch or breakfast programs The child applied for and was determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals through the school or breakfast program How to Apply Most eligible households will get SUN Bucks automatically if they are receiving other benefits. Other households can use the Eligibility Navigator to determine if their child is eligible. Those who are not automatically enrolled can fill out an application in English or Spanish. Applications received on or before August 31 will be considered for SUN Bucks benefits. Those received after that date will be considered for benefits during the 2025 application period next summer. For more information, visit the SUN Bucks website.
May 7, 2024 Department of Human Services Debuts Summer Child Nutrition Program 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. Learn More 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 More Details 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.