The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced a new initiative called SUN Bucks, aimed at helping families with school-aged children manage the added food costs during the summer break. As many families rely on school meal programs throughout the school year, the closure of schools for summer often increases financial strain, especially for those who struggle to provide nutritious meals. The SUN Bucks program is designed to ease this burden by providing families with a one-time payment of $120 per child to support grocery expenses during the summer.
$120 Food Stamps Payment Overview
SUN Bucks serves as a critical lifeline for families, ensuring that children continue to have access to healthy meals, even when school meals are not available. This initiative is part of the USDA’s ongoing efforts to promote child well-being by supporting families in providing balanced, nutritious food during the summer months.
SNAP $120 Payment Eligibility Criteria
The program is designed to assist families already receiving government support, including:
- Current SNAP Recipients: Families enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will automatically receive SUN Bucks for each eligible child.
- Other Program Beneficiaries: Families receiving assistance through programs such as Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) may qualify as well.
- School Meal Program Participants: Families with children enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP) who meet the income requirements for free or reduced-price meals are also eligible, even if they are not enrolled in SNAP.
SUN Bucks Payment Benefit Details
Each eligible child will receive a $120 one-time payment to cover food expenses for the summer period. The details of the benefit are as follows:
- Payment Amount: A one-time payment of $120 per child.
- Usage: The payment will either be loaded onto an existing SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or a newly issued EBT card.
- Expiration: The funds must be used within 122 days from issuance. Unlike regular SNAP benefits, SUN Bucks do not roll over month-to-month.
Application Process for SUN Bucks $120 Payment
- Automatic Enrollment: Families already enrolled in SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or those whose children participate in free or reduced-price school meal programs will be automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks.
- Manual Application: Families who are not automatically enrolled but meet eligibility criteria can apply through the USDA website. Detailed information on income requirements and application instructions are available on the USDA’s SUN Bucks page.
Additional Support for Families
SUN Bucks supplements existing summer food assistance programs, like SUN Meals To-Go and local meal sites. These resources ensure that families have multiple options for accessing nutritious meals during the summer.
The distribution of SUN Bucks began on June 14th, with benefits being issued biweekly through September. Families are encouraged to safeguard their EBT cards and can visit the NCDHHS Card Skimmers and Stolen FNS Benefits webpage for safety tips.
Contact Information for Further Assistance
Families looking for more information about local meal sites or other summer nutrition support can:
- Text “FOOD” to 304-304.
- Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY.
- Visit summermeals4nckids.org for more details.
The SUN Bucks program is part of a broader effort to provide consistent access to nutritious food during the summer, and eligible families are encouraged to apply or take advantage of the automatic enrollment. Families should stay updated by checking USDA and NCDHHS social media pages for the latest information.
