Summer EBT
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Summer EBT for Kids is now SUN Bucks
Summer EBT for kids has a new name and a new look for 2024. The program helps 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.
Will my child get SUN Bucks?
Some kids will get it AUTOMATICALLY:
Kids age 6-18 years in households that got CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal at any point in the 2023-24;school year
Kids age 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.
Timing of card mailings for kids who will get it automatically:
If receiving CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal before April 2024, cards will be mailed starting in June in alphabetical order based on last name
If receiving CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal April through August, cards will be mailed between August and November.
Some kids will need to APPLY (if they do not meet the criteria above):
Must complete a school meal (Free & Reduced Price Meals) application or Alternative Income Form and submit it to their school by August 31, 2024.
Families can obtain the correct school meal program application from their school.
Children who are not automatically eligible and do not apply for Free & Reduced Price Meals by the August 31, 2024 deadline will NOT receive SUN Bucks benefits for summer 2024.
Timing of card mailings for kids who need to apply: Cards will be mailed between August and November.
How does it work?
Eligible families will get SUN Bucks on an S-EBT card mailed to their home. It looks the same as the Golden State Advantage EBT card.
A family will get one new SUN Bucks card for each eligible child. Each card will have $120 in food benefits
All cards arrive in the mail with information on how to activate the card.
Please report address changes as soon as possible to ensure the card is mailed to the correct address. See below for more details on that.
SUN Bucks cards are only mailed by the state. It is not possible to get from your county office.
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.
Have You Moved?
Make sure your mailing address is current, 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, change your address online at BenefitsCal.com, or call 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.
What if You’re Having an Issue with SUN Bucks?
The state has a SUN Bucks call center that can be reached through the regular EBT helpline: (877) 328-9677
The SUN Bucks Helpline can support the following:
General info and case specific questions
PIN set-up support
Card replacement requests
Address updates
Program opt-out requests
Eligibility disputes
SUN Bucks, CalFresh & “To Go” School Meals
SUN Bucks is NOT the same as or a replacement for CalFresh benefits or other summer nutrition benefits.
SUN Bucks has no bearing on eligibility for CalFresh or any other nutrition program.
You can receive SUN Bucks, CalFresh, and “to go” school meals at the same time. You do NOT need to choose between these available resources.
More info from California Association of Food Banks