SUN Bucks: A New Summer Food Program for Kids

​The California Department of Social Services is rolling out a new food program to provide children with more access to nutritious food options. Starting this summer, you can buy more food for your child with California SUN Bucks, also called Summer-EBT. SUN Bucks work just like CalFresh, but for the summer.

Children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through a school meal application or an Alternative Income Form, or get CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal, are automatically enrolled. You don't need to do anything to sign up. SUN Bucks provides $40 per month for food for June, July, and August 2024 ($120 total).

Will my child get SUN Bucks?

Your child will automatically get SUN Bucks if:

• They are age 6 - 18 years and get CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal; OR
• They are age 0 - 22 years, attending schools that are part of National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Programs, AND are approved for free or reduced-price meals. Check with your child's school to make sure your free or reduced-price meal application or Alternative Income Form is on file.

Children who are attending Head Start, experiencing homelessness, living in foster care or part of a migrant family are also automatically eligible.

How do SUN Bucks work?

If your family is eligible, a SUN Bucks S-EBT card will be mailed to your home. You do not need to fill out an application. You will get one new SUN Bucks card for each eligible child. You can use SUN Bucks just like a debit card to buy food like fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains, and dairy at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other places that accept CalFresh EBT benefits.

To learn more about SUN Bucks, other food resources, and whether your child is eligible, visit the Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance website​. ​

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