SUN Bucks (Summer EBT)

SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT (S-EBT), is a new program to help families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer. Families will get $120 for each eligible child to buy groceries during the summer. Families must use SUN Bucks within 122 days of funds being loaded to their card. Children who get SUN Bucks can still participate in other summer meal programs. SUN Bucks will not affect immigration status.

 

SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) Eligibility Flowchart

Will my child get SUN Bucks?

Your child will automatically get SUN Bucks if:

  • They are age 6 - 18 years and get CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal; OR

  • They are age 0 - 22 years, attending schools that are part of National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Programs, AND are approved for free or reduced price meals. Check with your child's school to make sure your free or reduced-price meal application or Alternative Income Form is on file.

  • Children who are attending Head Start, experiencing homelessness, living in foster care or part of a migrant family are also automatically eligible.

View our Eligibility Flowchart here.


How do SUN Bucks work?

Eligible families will get SUN Bucks on an S-EBT card automatically mailed to their home. You do not need to fill out an application. You will get one new SUN Bucks card for each eligible child. You can use SUN Bucks just like a debit card to buy food like fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains, and dairy at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other places that accept CalFresh EBT benefits.

If you have any questions, please see our Frequently Asked Questions section by clicking here.

Make sure your mailing address is current with your school and with the county, so your SUN Bucks are sent to the right place! Update your address by April 1, 2024.

  • If you get CalWORKS, CalFresh, or Medi-Cal, you can change your address online at BenefitsCal.com, calling the county at (866) 262-9881 or visit your local county office.

  • If you qualify for free or reduced-price meals, change your address at your child's school of attendance. Not sure? Check with your child's school.

If you are a school staff member and would like to learn more about connecting your students with SUN Bucks, please see our CalFresh in Schools Toolkit here.

SUN Bucks, también conocido como Summer EBT (S-EBT), es un nuevo programa para ayudar a las familias comprar alimentos para sus hijos de edad escolar durante el verano. Las familias recibirán $120 por cada niño elegible para comprar alimentos durante el verano. Las familias deben usar sus beneficios de SUN Bucks dentro de los 122 días después de haberse depositado a su tarjeta. Los niños que reciben SUN Bucks aún pueden participar en otros programas de alimentos de verano. SUN Bucks no afecta el estatus migratorio.

 

¿Van a recibir SUN Bucks mis hijos?

Sus hijos van a recibir SUN Bucks automáticamente si:

  • Tienen entre 6 a 18 años y reciben CalFresh, CalWORKs o Medi-Cal; O

  • Tienen entre 0 a 22 años y asisten a escuelas que forman parte de los Programas Nacionales de Almuerzos Escolares y/o Desayunos Escolares, Y están aprobados para comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido. Consulte con la escuela de su hijo para asegurarse que su solicitud de comida gratuita o a precio reducido o que el Formulario de Ingreso Alternativo esté en el archivo.

  • Los niños que van a Head Start, que no tienen hogar, que reciben cuidado de crianza o que son parte de una familia migrante, también son elegibles automáticamente.



¿Cómo funciona SUN Bucks?

Las familias elegibles recibirán SUN Bucks en una tarjeta enviada por correo a su hogar. No es necesario que llene una solicitud. Recibirá una tarjeta nueva de SUN Bucks por cada niño elegible. Puede usar SUN Bucks como una tarjeta de débito para comprar alimentos como frutas, verduras, carne, granos integrales y productos lácteos en supermercados, mercados de agricultores y otros lugares que aceptan beneficios de CalFresh EBT.

 

¿Se han mudado? ¡Asegúrese que su dirección postal esté actualizada, para que sus SUN Bucks se envíen al lugar correcto! Actualice su dirección antes del 1 de abril del 2024.

  • Si sus hijos reciben CalWORKs, CalFresh o Medi-Cal, cambie su dirección en línea en BenefitsCal.com, o llame [(866) 262-9881] o visite la oficina local de su condado.

  • Si sus hijos califican para comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido, cambie su dirección en la escuela a la que asisten sus hijos. ¿No están seguros? Consulte con la escuela de sus hijos.


Frequently Asked Questions

See our FAQ below for commonly-asked questions.

  • We highly recommend getting connected with a free application assister. Please see our network of partners on the GetCalFresh page.

  • No, each eligible child will receive their own SUN Bucks EBT card, which will have their name listed on the card. This card is separate from your existing EBT card.

  • CDSS will begin mailing cards in June. They will be mailed in alphabetical order, based on last name.

  • A child’s school or a local County Family Resource Center can receive the S-EBT card on behalf of eligible families experiencing homelessness.

  • The application period ends on August 31st, 2024.

  • You will have to contact your child’s school to inquire about Free and Reduced price meal eligibility.

  • Yes, they can be eligible if they were 18 during the school operational period and meet the eligibility requirements listed above.

  • You can download the EBT Edge application, which allows you to keep track of your transactions and freeze your card when it’s not in use.