There is a new program from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) called SUN Bucks that is meant to help families with school-age children during the summer. Because this program knows that families have more financial problems when their kids can’t get school meals, it aims to give them extra money to help pay for groceries.
Families who qualify for SUN Bucks can get a one-time payment of $120 per child to help with the cost of feeding their kids healthy food over the summer. The USDA is launching this program as part of a larger effort to make sure that kids can still get healthy meals when school is not in session, which is good for their general health and well-being.
$120 Food Stamps Payment Overview
Many families depend on school meal programs to make sure their kids eat healthy, well-balanced meals all school year, so the SUN Bucks program is very important. When schools are out for the summer, these families might not be able to afford to buy their kids the extra food they need to stay healthy. By giving kids extra money, SUN Bucks helps close this gap and makes sure they don’t go hungry over the summer.
The program is meant to help all families, including those who get help from government programs like SNAP, WIC, TANF, and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. You can get SUN Bucks if your kid is in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and your family meets the income requirements for free or reduced-price meals.
SNAP $120 Payment Eligibility Criteria
SUN Bucks may be available to families who get help from the government through different programs. The following are the qualifications to be eligible:
Current SNAP Recipients
Families that are already getting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will get SUN Bucks for every qualified child.
Other Program Beneficiaries
Also, families that are in the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations) may be able to get help.
School Meal Program Participants
Families with kids in the School Breakfast Program (SBP) or the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and who make enough to get free or low-cost food can get SUN Bucks, even if they are not on SNAP.
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SUN Bucks Payment Benefit Details
- Payment Amount: Each eligible child will receive a one-time payment of $120 for the summer period.
- Usage: If needed, the funds will be loaded onto the household’s existing SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or a new EBT card.
- Expiration: SUN Bucks must be used within 122 days of issuance. Unlike regular SNAP benefits, they do not roll over month-to-month.
Application Process for SUN Bucks $120 Payment
- Automatic Enrollment: Families currently enrolled in SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or children receiving free or reduced-price meals at school will be automatically enrolled in the SUN Bucks program.
- Manual Application: Families not automatically enrolled but who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for SUN Bucks through the USDA’s website. Detailed income requirements and application instructions are available on USDA’s SUN Bucks page.
SUN Bucks are meant to add to current food assistance programs and make sure that kids can get healthy food over the summer. You can use this benefit along with other summer meal programs, like SUN Meals To-Go or area meal sites.
The first SUN Bucks benefits were given out on June 14, and more will be given out every two weeks until September, as long as new children are found to be qualified. Keep your EBT cards safe, and for more information, go to the NCDHHS Card Skimmers and Stolen FNS Benefits page.
There are free meals at schools and community centers in North Carolina during the summer, and the SUN Bucks program is one of them. Families can text FOOD to 304-304, call 1-866-3-HUNGRY, or go to summermeals4nckids.org to find out more about area meal sites and other types of help.
The SUN Bucks program helps families with school-age kids in important ways, like making sure they can get healthy food during the summer. Families who are eligible should check to see if they are eligible and apply if they need to in order to get this great benefit. Families should keep an eye on the USDA and NCDHHS websites and social media pages to get the most up-to-date news and information.