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, after 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 filled out an application and been approved 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.

Automatic Enrolment (Streamlined Certification)

• If your child (6-18 years) receives CalFresh or CalWORKs, you do not need to apply. Your child will receive a SUN Bucks card automatically.
• Some children receiving Medi-Cal can be automatically eligible when family income is at or under 185% of the Federal Poverty Line. CDDSS recommends that you apply

Who Needs to Fill out an Application?

Over 1.8 million children are not automatically enrolled and will need to apply this year. Your child might need to apply, even if they received automatic benefits last year.

• Children ages 0-22 years who attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP) are also eligible for SUN Bucks if they are certified to meet the income eligibility guidelines.
• To certify that your child is eligible, you must submit a Universal Benefits Application or School Meal Application to your child's school. You should apply if any of the following criteria apply to your family:
  • Your child gets meals through California's Universal Meals Program (UMP). In California, the UMP provides school meals at no cost to all school-age children, regardless of household income. Even if your child gets a free school meal, it does not guarantee that they will qualify for SUN Bucks benefits.
  • Children who get Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) or participate in the Adoption Assistance Program, but do not participate in CalFresh or CalWORKs.

Make sure to fill out a school meal application or a Universal Benefits Application at your child’s school before August 31, 2026. If your child's school is closed, you can visit the school district office to fill out either form. 

Access to the Universal Benefits Application (UBA)(DOCX) template:
Available Translations of the Universal Benefits Application

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.

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.

CDSS will mail the cards in alphabetical order by the child's last name (A-Z) in two stages.

• Stage 1: Streamlined certified children will get their SUN Bucks cards in the mail in late May through July 2026.

• Stage 2: SUN Bucks cards will be delivered in late July 2026 for
  • Newly enrolled children in CalFresh, CalWORKS, or Medi-Cal.
  • Children who filled out a Universal Benefit Application or School Meals Application and have been approved