In 2025, the Summer Grocery benefit for children will return. Each eligible school-age child may receive $120 from SUN Bucks or Summer EBT, and SNAP benefits may be combined.
It’s time to find out if you are automatically eligible for this $120 payment if your children are enrolled in school. It is imperative that you submit your application before the deadline if you must.
For those who are unfamiliar with the Summer EBT, it provides funds to purchase food at approved establishments. The fact that it is only accessible in participating states is its sole drawback.
Additionally, you might be getting Medicaid, TANF, or WIC services. When schools are closed in the summer, SUN Meals and SUN Meals To-Go are also excellent options for feeding your children.
Which states are part of the SUN Bucks initiative?
States participating in the 2025 SUN Bucks Program are listed in full:
Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Hawaii, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama, North Carolina, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Vermont.
In addition to these States, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa also provide the opportunity to receive $120 in Summer EBT payments.
Additionally, some tribes in the state are taking part in Oklahoma as well:
- Cherokee Nation
- Chickasaw Nation
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Muscogee Creek Nation
- Otoe-Missouria Tribe
Some States or U.S. territories are also planned to participate in addition to these lists. The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Virginia are a few examples. The SUN Bucks program is not available in the other states.
Read Also: 2025 VA Compensation: 60% Disability Rate for Veterans Without Dependents
What is SUN Bucks able to purchase?
All of the following can be purchased using Summer EBT benefits:
- Meat, poultry, fish, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, breads, and cereals
- Drinks without alcohol
- snacks
SUN Bucks cannot be used to buy:
- hot dishes
- foods for pets
- household or cleaning supplies
- medicine and personal hygiene products
Here is further information on eligibility if you are still unsure if your school-age child is eligible to receive SUN Bucks. Verify that your child is enrolled in school and that your household is eligible for programs like TANF, SNAP, or FDPIR.
If this is not the case, you can still be eligible if your child attends a school that participates in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program and your income is below the threshold.
To be eligible for free or reduced-price school meals, you must meet the income requirements.
