SNAP beneficiaries with school-age children may receive an additional $120 this month to help cover grocery costs. This extra payment is part of the SUN Bucks program, which provides support during the summer months—June, July, and August—when families face increased grocery expenses due to the absence of school-provided meals.
SUN Bucks are designed to offset the cost of groceries for families who usually benefit from free school meals. The funds are loaded onto electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which can be used at participating grocery and general stores.
Administered by state and local authorities but funded by the federal government’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), SUN Bucks are distributed at different times depending on the state.
Eligibility for SUN Bucks
Families with school-age children are eligible for SUN Bucks if they meet the criteria outlined by the FNS. Most eligible families will receive the benefit automatically, but some may need to apply directly. Details on application processes can be obtained from state providers.
Once enrolled, SUN Bucks may be added to existing SNAP accounts or issued on a separate EBT card, depending on the recipient’s location.
SUN Bucks Payments for August
Several states will issue SUN Bucks payments in August:
- California: For families with last names beginning with M to Z.
- Connecticut: Payments will be made in early August, following a rescheduled date from June 23.
- Illinois
- Nebraska
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
In addition to these states, over 30 states, Washington, D.C., some tribal nations, and U.S. territories like American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are participating. Many of these areas have already distributed SUN Bucks in June and July.
States Not Participating
Twelve states are not participating in the SUN Bucks program:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Florida
- Mississippi
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Oklahoma (tribal nations within the state are participating)
- Texas
- Wyoming
Some of these states opted out because they already have summer feeding programs or disagreed with continuing aid introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. SUN Bucks, initially known as Summer EBT or Pandemic EBT, was first authorized in March 2020 and became a permanent program in 2024.
Rubby Cordelia is a finance journalist for WVPrepBB.com, bringing expertise and clarity to her reporting on financial news. With a passion for demystifying complex economic issues, Rubby delivers insightful analysis and up-to-date information on the latest market trends, financial policies, and economic developments. Her work on WVPrepBB.com is essential reading for anyone looking to stay informed about the ever-changing world of finance.
