SUN Bucks (Summer EBT)

SUN Bucks is a new, permanent program that helps families buy food for their children this summer and in following years during the summer months when schools are closed. SUN Bucks is similar to CalFresh and works like debit cards. Children who get SUN Bucks can participate in food programs like CalFresh and other summer meal programs. SUN Bucks will not affect immigration status. 

For more information, visit the SUN Bucks website at: www.cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks.

Each eligible child will receive a SUN Bucks card with $120 to purchase food during the summer. The SUN Buck cards work like CalFresh EBT cards, similar to debit cards.

You can use SUN Bucks to buy food (except prepared/hot foods) at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other stores that accept CalFresh EBT benefits.

Families MUST use the benefits within 122 days, or around 4 months, of being loaded on the card. Any unused money on your card after 122 days will expire. You can call the SUN Bucks hotline at (877) 328-9677 to check when your card will expire.

Your child is eligible for SUN Bucks if they:

• Receive CalFresh, Medi-Cal (at or under 185% of the Federal Poverty Line), or CalWORKs; OR
• Attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and have been certified eligible for free or reduced-price school meals; OR
• Are in Head Start, experiencing homelessness, living in foster care, are a runaway, or are part of a migrant family.

It depends on how your child is eligible.

• If your child (6-18 years) is receiving CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal (at or under 185% of the Federal Poverty Line), you do not need to apply. Your child will receive a SUN Bucks card automatically.
• If your child (0-22 years) goes to a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or the School Breakfast Program (SBP), and you have already filled out a school meal application or Alternative Income Form for your child and have been approved, you do not need to apply for SUN Bucks. Your child will receive a SUN Bucks card automatically.

If your child is eligible for free or reduced-price school meals but has not yet been certified, make sure to fill out a school meal application or Alternative Income Form at your child’s school before August 31, 2024. If your child's school is closed, you can visit the school district office to fill out either form.

Stage One: For Summer 2024, starting in June, cards will be mailed in alphabetical order (by last name) to automatically enrolled children.

Stage two: Children who are newly eligible by August 31, 2024, will receive their cards between September through December 2024.

Children who are not automatically enrolled can become eligible through:

• School meal applications
• Alternative Income Forms
• Enrolling in CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal (at or under 185% of the Federal Poverty Line)

Families have 122 days, or around 4 months, from the date benefits are loaded onto the card to use SUN Bucks benefits. Any unused balance will be removed from the card and cannot be replaced at this time.

You can call the SUN Bucks hotline at (877) 328-9677 to check when your card will expire.

Yes! SUN Bucks are additional benefits that can be used alongside CalFresh or any other child nutrition programs. Children may continue to receive meals at summer meal sites offered by schools and community locations, even if they are receiving SUN Bucks.

Yes! SUN Bucks is a permanent program and will be available in the following years during the summer months. The benefit amount will be adjusted every year for inflation.

No, SUN Bucks cards are safe to use. Receiving SUN Bucks will not hurt a child’s immigration status or the immigration status of their family members. The public charge rule does NOT apply to SUN Bucks.