In December 2022, the federal government authorized a new permanent, nationwide Summer EBT program, also known as SUN Bucks, to support children who lose access to free and reduced-price school meals during the summer months. SUN Bucks is separate from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and provides $120 in food benefits to each eligible child. This amount may be adjusted annually. Similar to SNAP, SUN Bucks is a flexible food benefit that families can use to buy food to help offset rising food costs. Using SUN Bucks also helps bring additional dollars into local economies.
The SUN Bucks benefits, a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child in each household, will be deposited onto new SUN Bucks cards and mailed beginning in early June.
Some children will be automatically eligible for SUN Bucks, while others will need to apply. Students may be automatically eligible for Summer EBT if they:
- Are enrolled at a school that offers the National School Lunch Program or School
- Breakfast Program and qualify through a meal application or Family Income Survey or
- Are age 8 – 18 and are a member of a household that receives benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or State-Funded Assistance.
Students who do not qualify automatically can apply by submitting a Summer EBT application. To qualify for SUN Bucks, these students must:
Applications will be accepted through Aug. 29, 2025. (Other Languages)
SUN Bucks benefits are in addition to other summer Child Nutrition Programs already offered. Families are encouraged to continue participating in congregate and grab-n-go meals as well as other summer food programs at their local schools and community locations, even if they receive Summer EBT benefits.
Families who need to apply or who have other questions about SUN Bucks benefits can call the SUN Bucks Contact Center at 1-833-543-3230 (TTY: 1-800-833-6348) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday–Friday. Families can opt in for text messaging alerts about their child’s SUN Bucks status at textsunbucks.dshs.wa.gov.