Summer EBT (Sun Bucks) Program 2026: A Complete Guide for Families

Summer EBT, also called SUN Bucks, is a permanent federal food program that gives families $120 per eligible child for groceries during summer break. The USDA launched it nationwide in 2024 after a multi-year pilot, and it now operates in over 40 states, five territories, and several tribal nations. If your child gets free or reduced-price school meals, or your household participates in SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, your child likely qualifies automatically.

The program fills a gap that school lunch programs leave open. During the school year, roughly 30 million children rely on free or reduced-price meals.

When summer arrives, that safety net disappears. Summer EBT puts grocery money directly onto an EBT card so families can buy the food their children would have eaten at school. The $120 amount per child is a one-time summer payment, not a monthly benefit.

What Summer EBT Actually Is

Summer EBT is a federal entitlement program run by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. It is not a temporary relief measure or a disaster benefit.

Congress made it permanent in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, after piloting it in selected states since 2011. The program name was officially changed to SUN Bucks in 2024, though most state agencies still refer to it as Summer EBT in their communications.

Each eligible child receives $120 for the summer period. That amount was set by Congress and has not changed since the program went nationwide.

Some states and tribal nations add their own funds on top of the federal amount. For example, certain tribal nations in the Pacific Northwest supplement the federal benefit with locally sourced food credits. But $120 is the federal floor in every participating state.

The benefit is issued as a lump sum, not monthly installments. In most states, the money lands on an EBT card in mid-June or early July.

Families who already have an EBT card from SNAP often see the Summer EBT funds added to their existing card. Families without SNAP get a separate SUN Bucks card in the mail.

Which States Are Participating in 2026

As of the 2026 plan submissions, more than 40 states, the District of Columbia, five U.S. territories, and multiple tribal nations are participating.

States had to opt in by January 1 each year and submit a implementation plan to the USDA. States that chose not to participate in 2026 are listed below.

States can change their participation status year to year. Florida, Mississippi, and Utah declined to participate in 2024 but some later reversed course. Check with your state's Department of Human Services or Education for the most current status. You can also verify participation through the USDA FNS official list.

Tribal nations have the option to operate their own Summer EBT programs independently of the state where they are located. This means a child living on tribal land in a non-participating state might still receive SUN Bucks. The Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma, for example, runs its own program separate from the state's decision.

Who Qualifies for Summer EBT

A child qualifies for Summer EBT if they meet any of these conditions during the school year. The program uses school records and benefit agency data to determine eligibility automatically, which means most families do not need to apply.

• ✓The child attends a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program and is certified for free or reduced-price meals
• ✓The household receives SNAP benefits at any point during the school year
• ✓The household receives TANF cash assistance
• ✓The household participates in Medicaid and meets the income test (185% of federal poverty level or less in most states)
• ✓The child is homeless, migrant, in foster care, or attends a Head Start program
• ✓The child is homeschooled but meets the income guidelines through SNAP or Medicaid

Homeschooled children can qualify if the household receives SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF. The income test follows the same 185% of poverty threshold that the National School Lunch Program uses for reduced-price meals. In 2026, that threshold is approximately $3,979 per month for a family of four.

If your child does not automatically qualify through any of these pathways, you can submit a Summer EBT application directly to your state agency. Most states accept applications through August 31 of the summer period. Check your state's specific deadline through the USDA Summer EBT portal.

How Benefits Are Issued

Summer EBT benefits are issued as a one-time lump sum of $120 per child. The money is loaded onto an EBT card, which works like a debit card at authorized retailers. Most states issue benefits between mid-June and late July, though the exact date depends on your state and whether you are automatically enrolled or applied manually.

If your family already has an EBT card from SNAP, Summer EBT funds are typically added to that card. You will see a separate transaction code on your receipt when you spend Summer EBT funds.

If you do not receive SNAP, your state will mail you a new EBT card specifically for SUN Bucks. The card arrives in a plain envelope and requires activation by phone before use.

Benefits do not expire at the end of summer. You can spend them at any point during the year, though the program encourages families to use them during the summer months when school meals are unavailable.

Any unused balance rolls forward and remains on the card until spent. If your card is lost or stolen, contact your state EBT customer service line immediately to request a replacement.

Where You Can Use SUN Bucks

SUN Bucks work at any retailer that accepts SNAP EBT. This includes major grocery chains, Walmart, Target, Aldi, Kroger, and most supermarket chains. You can also use them at farmers markets that participate in the SNAP MarketLink program, and at convenience stores that carry eligible food items.

Many families ask whether they can use SUN Bucks at discount retailers like Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar. The answer is yes, as long as the specific store is authorized to accept EBT.

Most Dollar General locations accept EBT. You can buy eligible food items like bread, cereal, milk, and canned goods. Dollar Tree and Family Dollar also accept EBT at many locations, though their food selection is more limited.

Online grocery shopping with EBT is available through Amazon, Walmart, and Instacart in participating states. SUN Bucks work the same way as SNAP benefits for online purchases.

You select EBT as your payment method at checkout and can only use the funds for eligible food items. Delivery fees cannot be paid with EBT but can be paid with a separate card.

You cannot use SUN Bucks at restaurants, fast food establishments, or coffee shops. The Restaurant Meals Program, which allows some elderly and disabled SNAP recipients to buy prepared food, does not apply to Summer EBT. SUN Bucks are strictly for grocery purchases meant for home preparation.

What You Can and Cannot Buy

SUN Bucks follow the same purchase rules as SNAP. You can buy any food item meant for human consumption at home. This includes staples like bread, cereal, rice, pasta, fruits and vegetables in any form, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs, baby food, infant formula, and seeds and plants that produce food.

Many parents specifically ask about snack foods. You can buy chips, soda, cookies, candy, ice cream, and other snack items with SUN Bucks.

These items are classified as food by the USDA and are eligible for purchase. However, you cannot buy vitamins, supplements, hot prepared foods, alcohol, tobacco, pet food, paper products, cleaning supplies, or household items.

A common question is whether you can buy soda and chips. The answer is yes.

The USDA classifies soda, chips, candy, and similar items as food, making them eligible for EBT purchase. Some states have proposed restricting these items, but as of 2026, no federal restrictions exist on Summer EBT purchases beyond the standard SNAP rules.

How to Apply for Summer EBT

Most children are automatically enrolled through school records or benefit agency data matching. If your child qualifies through free or reduced-price school meals, SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, you do not need to apply. The $120 benefit will appear on your EBT card without any action on your part.

If your child does not automatically qualify, you can apply through your state agency. The application typically asks for household income, the child's school information, and proof of identity. Most states accept applications through August 31 of the summer period, though some extend the deadline into September.

To apply, contact your state's Summer EBT office. You can find the correct office through the USDA FNS Summer EBT page or by calling your state's Department of Human Services. Some states offer an online application portal, while others require a paper form submitted by mail or in person.

Coordinating Summer EBT With SNAP

Summer EBT and SNAP are separate programs with different purposes. SNAP provides monthly food assistance based on household income and size, while Summer EBT is a one-time per-child summer payment.

Families can receive both simultaneously without any reduction in either benefit. The $120 SUN Bucks payment does not count as income for SNAP purposes and will not reduce your monthly SNAP allotment.

If you receive SNAP, your SUN Bucks funds are typically added to your existing EBT card. You can check your balance the same way you check your SNAP balance through the EBT cardholder portal, the customer service number on the back of your card, or your last store receipt. The two benefit types appear as separate line items on your transaction history.

If your household does not receive SNAP but your child qualifies for Summer EBT through school meals certification, you will receive a separate SUN Bucks card in the mail. This card is pre-loaded with $120 per eligible child in your household. A family with three eligible children would receive $360 total on a single card.

For families looking to maximize their food budget, Summer EBT can be combined with other programs. The WIC program covers specific foods for pregnant women and children under five.

The TANF cash assistance program provides monthly cash for basic needs. And the Double Up Food Bucks program at farmers markets can double the value of your EBT dollars spent on fresh produce.

State-by-State Deposit Schedule

Each state sets its own deposit schedule for Summer EBT benefits. Most states issue the lump sum in mid-June or early July. Below is a general guide to when you can expect benefits, though exact dates vary by year and state.

Check with your state's Department of Human Services for the exact deposit schedule. Some states post schedules on their websites, while others only confirm deposit dates after the funds have been issued. If you have not received benefits by August 1 and believe your child qualifies, contact your state agency to check your status.

The Take-Up Gap and Why It Matters

The USDA estimates that Summer EBT reaches about 70 percent of eligible children in participating states. That means roughly 30 percent of eligible families do not receive the benefit.

The gap exists for several reasons. Some families do not know the program exists. Others assume they need to apply when their child is actually automatically enrolled.

And some families who receive the card do not activate it or spend the funds.

This is a significant missed opportunity. For a family with three children, $360 in summer grocery money makes a real difference.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that Summer EBT reduced child food insecurity by about a third in the pilot states. Children who received the benefit ate more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains during summer months.

If you think your child might be eligible, the simplest first step is to check whether your child already receives free or reduced-price school meals. If so, you are likely automatically enrolled.

Contact your school district's food service office to confirm your child's meal status. If your child does not receive school meals but your household income is at or below 185 percent of poverty, you can apply directly through your state agency.

Common Questions About SUN Bucks

Related SNAP Guides

If you found this guide helpful, these related articles cover SNAP eligibility, benefit calculations, and food assistance programs that work alongside Summer EBT:

• →SNAP and WIC differences — how the two food programs compare and whether you can get both
• →SNAP and TANF coordination — stacking cash and food benefits in the same household
• →EBT at farmers markets — doubling your food dollars with Double Up Food Bucks
• →SNAP for families with children — maximizing your monthly food stamp benefit
• →SNAP benefit calculator 2026 — estimate your monthly allotment in four steps