How to Apply for SUN Bucks 2026 in Your State

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Child reaching for a glowing EBT card surrounded by groceries — How to Apply for SUN Bucks 2026

SUN Bucks — also called Summer EBT — gives families $120 per eligible child in grocery benefits over summer 2026.

Benefits arrive as a one-time EBT payment covering June, July, and August.

The money works just like SNAP — use it at grocery stores, farmers markets, and online retailers that accept EBT.

In 2026, 48 states, territories, and tribal nations are participating. Most families don’t need to do anything — eligible children are enrolled automatically.

But if your child doesn’t receive a card, you may need to apply before your state’s deadline.

This guide explains who qualifies, how to apply, and when each state’s application closes — so you don’t miss out on benefits your family is owed.

📅 Last updated: May 2026 | Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Service

Quick Summary

  • ✅ Benefit amount: $120 per eligible child ($40/month for June, July, August)
  • ✅ Who qualifies: School-age children in participating NSLP/SBP schools who meet income limits or receive SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR
  • ✅ Auto-enrolled: Children already on SNAP, TANF, foster care, Head Start, and free/reduced-price meal programs
  • ✅ Must apply: Children who meet income limits but aren’t already enrolled in qualifying programs
  • ⚠️ Benefits expire: 122 days after loading — unspent benefits cannot be restored
  • 🚫 12 states opted out: Including Texas, Florida, and Georgia (2026 only)

Who Is Eligible for SUN Bucks 2026?

Eligibility falls into two groups. The first group gets benefits automatically. The second group must submit an application before their state’s deadline.

Automatically Eligible — No Application Needed

Your child is automatically enrolled if any of the following apply:

  • Your household receives SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR benefits and your child is school-age
  • Your child attends a school in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) and is approved for free or reduced-price meals
  • Your child is in foster care, is homeless, is part of a migrant family, or is enrolled in Head Start

If your child falls into one of these groups, watch your mailbox. A SUN Bucks EBT card will arrive automatically — no paperwork needed.

Must Apply — Application Required

You need to apply if your child:

  • Is school-age and attends a school in the NSLP or SBP
  • Has household income within the free or reduced-price meal thresholds
  • Is not already enrolled in SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR

If you’re unsure whether your child qualifies, apply anyway. It’s free, and most state portals include an eligibility screener.

2026 Income Limits — Am I Eligible?

Income limits are based on federal free and reduced-price meal thresholds. The table below uses Iowa’s 2026 published guidelines as a reference. Most states follow the same scale — confirm exact limits with your state agency.

Household SizeGross Monthly Income Limit
1$2,413
2$3,261
3$4,109
4$4,957
5$5,805
6$6,653
7$7,501
8$8,349
Each additional member+$848

These are gross monthly income limits. Check your state’s official portal for confirmed thresholds.

How to Apply for SUN Bucks 2026 — Step by Step

Many families only need to wait for a card in the mail. But if you need to apply, here’s exactly how to do it.

Step 1 — Confirm Your State Participates

Visit the USDA’s official map at fns.usda.gov/summer/sunbucks. States shown in green or blue are participating. Gray states have opted out for 2026. You can also check summerebt.org for a quick state finder.

Step 2 — Check If You Need to Apply

If your child is already enrolled in SNAP, TANF, free school meals, foster care, or Head Start — you do not need to apply. A card will come by mail. If your child doesn’t get a card by late June or early July, then it’s time to apply.

Step 3 — Find Your State’s Application Portal

Click your state on the USDA interactive map. It will redirect you to your state’s specific portal or hotline number. You can also visit summerebt.org and select your state from the dropdown.

Step 4 — Gather What You Need

Most applications ask for:

  • Child’s full name and date of birth
  • School name and current grade
  • Home address (must be current — cards are mailed here)
  • Household income information
  • Proof of benefit enrollment (only if applicable)

Step 5 — Submit Before Your State’s Deadline

Applications can be submitted online, by paper form, or by phone depending on your state. Some states also accept applications by fax or email. Do not wait until the last day — processing takes time.

Step 6 — Watch for Your Card in the Mail

Once approved, a SUN Bucks EBT card loaded with $120 will be mailed to your home address. In some states, the $120 is added directly to your existing SNAP EBT card. Either way, benefits work just like SNAP at checkout.

⚠️ Important: SUN Bucks benefits expire 122 days after they are loaded. After that, the money is gone and cannot be recovered. Use them before they expire.

2026 Application Deadlines by State

Deadlines vary widely — from early August to mid-September. The table below lists confirmed 2026 deadlines and application methods for each participating state.

StateApplication DeadlineHow to Apply
AlabamaAugust 15, 2026Online at alabama-sunbucks.com or paper
ArizonaAugust 3, 2026Online screener + application
ArkansasAugust 31, 2026Online
CaliforniaAugust 31, 2026Universal Benefits Application (UBA) via child’s school
ColoradoAugust 25, 2026PEAK website
ConnecticutNot yet announcedOnline
DelawareAugust 31, 2026Online or paper — Division of Social Services
District of ColumbiaAugust 23, 2026Online
HawaiiAugust 2, 2026Online
IllinoisAugust 14, 2026abe.illinois.gov — Summer EBT option
IowaAugust 14, 2026Online (application opens early June 2026)
KansasAugust 31, 2026DCF online self-service portal
KentuckyNot yet announcedOnline
LouisianaAugust 20, 2026Online
MaineAugust 15, 2026Online via Maine.gov
MarylandAugust 31, 2026Online
MassachusettsAugust 31, 2026Online or paper application
MichiganAugust 31, 2026MI Bridges portal
MinnesotaAugust 31, 2026Online with EDIAM login
MissouriAugust 31, 2026MOSB-1 form — online, fax, or mail
MontanaNot yet announcedOnline
NebraskaAugust 12, 2026Online (issuance delayed — monitor dhhs.ne.gov)
NevadaNot yet announcedOnline
New HampshireNot yet announcednheasy.nh.gov
New JerseyNot yet announcedVia child’s school district website
New MexicoAugust 22, 2026Online or paper
New YorkSeptember 8, 2026Online at summerebt.ny.gov
North CarolinaAugust 15, 2026Online at ncdhhs.gov/sunbucksapplication
North DakotaAugust 31, 2026Online
OhioAugust 14, 2026sebt.ohio.gov
OregonSeptember 1, 2026Online, paper, or email summerebtinfo@odhs.oregon.gov
PennsylvaniaAugust 31, 2026Online or paper
Rhode IslandNot yet announcedOnline or paper
VermontNot yet announcedOnline or call 1-888-354-0012
VirginiaAugust 31, 2026Mail only — no email or fax accepted
WashingtonNot yet announcedOnline or mail to DSHS Customer Service Center
West VirginiaAugust 20, 2026schoolcafe.com or paper at DoHS county office
WisconsinNot yet announcedOnline

States marked “Not yet announced” have confirmed participation but had not yet published deadlines as of mid-May 2026. Check your state agency website regularly for updates.

Which States Are NOT Participating in 2026?

Twelve states have opted out of SUN Bucks for summer 2026. An estimated 9.9 million eligible children will not receive these benefits as a result.

States that opted out for 2026:

  • Alaska
  • Florida
  • Georgia (approved funding for 2027 — not participating in 2026)
  • Idaho
  • Indiana (cited $5–7 million administrative cost burden)
  • Mississippi
  • Oklahoma (some tribal nations within Oklahoma may still offer the program)
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Wyoming

Utah also opted out for 2026 after participating in 2025. The Utah.gov official site confirms the program is closed for summer 2026.

If you live in one of these states: SUN Bucks is not available. However, free summer meals are still offered through the Seamless Summer Option and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Contact your local school district or use Feeding America’s food bank locator to find nearby meal sites.

State-by-State Highlights for 2026

Here’s a closer look at how the program works in some of the largest and most noteworthy states.

California

California auto-enrolls children ages 6–18 who receive CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal. Children in NSLP/SBP schools approved for free or reduced meals are also auto-enrolled. Cards are mailed in two stages — automatically enrolled children receive cards in June–July 2026 (alphabetically by last name), while applicants approved later receive cards starting in late July 2026.

SUN Bucks helpline: (877) 328-9677 — available 24/7 automated, or Mon–Fri 6 a.m.–8 p.m. with live agents.

New York

New York has one of the latest deadlines in the country — September 8, 2026. Benefits are expected to begin loading on June 16, 2026. If your card is lost or damaged, replace it through the ebtEDGE website or app, or call (888) 328-6399.

Iowa

Iowa is participating in SUN Bucks for the first time in 2026 after opting out in prior years. The application portal opens in early June 2026. Iowa’s program aligns with its Healthy SNAP Waiver, which limits some purchases — check Iowa’s state page for details.

Nebraska

Nebraska’s 2026 issuance — originally scheduled for April 23, 2026 — has been delayed due to pending federal funding. If you’re in Nebraska, monitor dhhs.ne.gov for the most current updates.

Minnesota

Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families expects SUN Bucks to help more than 450,000 children in 2026. New cards will be mailed from late May through September 2026. Update your address with your state benefits agency before cards are sent.

What Can You Buy with SUN Bucks?

SUN Bucks works exactly like a SNAP EBT card at checkout. Here’s what you can and can’t purchase.

✅ Eligible Foods

  • Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned)
  • Meat, poultry, and fish
  • Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
  • Breads, cereals, and grains
  • Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages

❌ Not Eligible

  • Hot or prepared foods (ready to eat)
  • Pet food
  • Cleaning or household supplies
  • Personal hygiene products
  • Medicine or vitamins

Use the USDA SNAP Retailer Locator to find grocery stores, farmers markets, and online retailers near you that accept EBT.

5 Things to Do Right Now

  1. Check if your state participates at fns.usda.gov/summer/sunbucks
  2. Verify your child is auto-enrolled — if they receive SNAP, free meals, or are in foster care, no action is needed
  3. Update your mailing address with your child’s school and your state benefits agency before cards are mailed
  4. Apply before your state’s deadline if your child isn’t auto-enrolled
  5. Do not apply in multiple states — only apply in the state where your child finished the 2025–2026 school year

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is SUN Bucks and how much money do children get?

SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) provides $120 per eligible school-age child in grocery benefits for summer 2026. Benefits are loaded as a one-time payment — $40 per month for June, July, and August — onto an EBT card that works like SNAP at most grocery stores and farmers markets.

Do I need to apply, or is my child automatically enrolled?

Most children are automatically enrolled. If your household receives SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR, or if your child is approved for free or reduced-price school meals, foster care, or Head Start — no application is needed. You only need to apply if your child meets income limits but isn’t already in one of these programs.

When will SUN Bucks cards be mailed in 2026?

Mailing dates vary by state. Most states begin mailing cards in June 2026. Application-based enrollments typically receive cards in July or August. Check your specific state’s agency website for expected mailing timelines.

What happens if I don’t receive a SUN Bucks card?

If your child is automatically eligible and no card arrives by mid-July, contact your state’s SUN Bucks helpline or visit your state’s benefits portal. You can also check if your state loads benefits directly onto your existing SNAP card. If you were not auto-enrolled, you may need to submit an application before the deadline.

Can I use SUN Bucks at any grocery store?

Yes — SUN Bucks works anywhere SNAP is accepted. This includes most major grocery stores, many farmers markets, some convenience stores, and select online retailers like Amazon and Walmart Grocery. Use the USDA SNAP Retailer Locator to find stores near you.

What if I live in a state that opted out of SUN Bucks 2026?

If your state opted out (Texas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, and others), SUN Bucks benefits are not available this summer. Families can still access free summer meals through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or the Seamless Summer Option. Contact your local school district or call the USDA’s National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY to find meal sites near you.

When do SUN Bucks benefits expire?

SUN Bucks benefits expire 122 days after they are loaded onto your card. After that, any unused balance is permanently lost and cannot be restored or reissued. Plan your purchases early to avoid losing benefits.

Official Resources

ResourceLink
USDA FNS SUN Bucks (official)fns.usda.gov/summer/sunbucks
Summer EBT state findersummerebt.org
FRAC State Summer EBT Mapfrac.org/research/resource-library/state-summer-ebt-map
California CDSS SUN Buckscdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks
North Carolina Applicationncdhhs.gov/sunbucksapplication
Ohio Summer EBT Applicationsebt.ohio.gov
Alabama SUN Bucksalabama-sunbucks.com
Massachusetts SUN Bucksmass.gov/info-details/how-to-apply-for-sun-bucks
Nebraska Summer EBTdhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Summer-EBT.aspx
SNAP Retailer Locatorfns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator

Related Reading

📖 “What Is SNAP and How to Apply in 2026“ — Learn about ongoing food assistance benefits your family may qualify for year-round, not just during summer.

Don’t Miss Your State’s Deadline

SUN Bucks puts real grocery money on the table — $120 per child, with no strings attached. Most families are already enrolled and just need to watch the mailbox. But if you need to apply, time matters. Deadlines in many states fall in August 2026.

Start here: Visit fns.usda.gov/summer/sunbucks, find your state, and confirm whether your child is already enrolled. If not, apply today — before your state closes the window.

Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS), individual state government agencies, and the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). Information verified as of May 2026. Program details may change — always confirm with your state’s official benefits portal.

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