The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established an innovative program called SUN Bucks, which is specifically designed to help families with school-aged children throughout the summer.
Recognizing the extra financial strain placed on families when children do not have access to school meals, this program seeks to give additional financial support to help pay food prices.
SUN Bucks allows qualified families to receive a one-time payment of $120 per kid to assist cover the cost of providing nutritious food during the summer break.
This initiative is part of the USDA’s larger effort to guarantee that children have access to nutritious meals even when school is not in session, so enhancing their overall well-being and health.
$120 Food Stamps Payment Overview
The SUN Bucks program is especially important because many families rely on school lunch programs to feed their children balanced and nutritious meals throughout the school year.
When schools close for the summer, these families may struggle to afford the extra food required to meet their children’s nutritional needs. By providing a financial boost, SUN Bucks helps to bridge this gap, ensuring that children do not go hungry over the summer.
The program is intended to be inclusive, focusing on families who are already receiving assistance from other government programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).
Families with children enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and meeting the income requirements for free or reduced-price meals are also eligible for SUN Bucks.
SNAP $120 Payment Eligibility Criteria
Families who engage in several government assistance programs may be eligible for SUN Bucks. The eligibility requirements are listed below:
Current SNAP Recipients
Families that presently receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will automatically receive SUN Bucks for each eligible kid.
Other Program Beneficiaries
Families enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) may also be eligible.
School Meal Program Participants
Families with children enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP) who satisfy the income requirements for free or reduced-price meals, regardless of SNAP status, are eligible for SUN Bucks.
SUN Bucks Payment Benefit Details
- Payment Amount: Each qualified child will receive a one-time $120 payment for the summer months.
- Usage: If necessary, the payments will be transferred to the household’s current SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or a new EBT card.
- Expiration: SUN Bucks must be used within 122 days of issue. Unlike regular SNAP payments, they do not carry over from month to month.
Application Process for SUN Bucks $120 Payment
- Automatic Enrollment: Families who are currently registered in SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR, as well as children who get free or reduced-price school meals, will be automatically enrolled in the SUN Bucks program.
- Manual Application:Families who are not automatically enrolled but satisfy the eligibility requirements can apply for SUN Bucks using the USDA’s website. Detailed income requirements and application instructions are accessible at USDA’s SUN Bucks page.
SUN Bucks is intended to enhance existing food assistance programs and ensure that children have access to nutritional food throughout the summer. This benefit can be combined with other summer feeding programs, such as SUN Meals To-Go or community meal sites.
SUN Bucks payments were distributed on June 14th and will continue to be issued every two weeks until September as additional children are determined eligible. Families should keep their EBT cards safe and consult the NCDHHS Card Skimmers and Stolen FNS Benefits webpage for advice.
The SUN Bucks program is part of North Carolina’s larger Summer Nutrition Programs, which include free meals at schools and community centers.
For more information on local meal sites and other resources, families can text FOOD to 304-304, contact 1-866-3-HUNGRY, or go to summermeals4nckids.org.
The SUN Bucks program helps families with school-aged children get nutritious food during the summer. Eligible families are advised to check their eligibility and apply as needed to take advantage of this vital benefit.
Families should check the USDA and NCDHHS social media pages and websites for the most recent information and announcements.