When school lets out for summer, millions of children lose access to the free and reduced-price meals they depend on during the school year. Summer EBT, officially branded as SUN Bucks, fills that gap by putting grocery money directly on a benefit card for families to use at authorized stores. Each eligible child receives $120 in food benefits, and in most states the money arrives automatically without any application required.
This guide covers who qualifies, how much you get, which states participate, and exactly how to apply if your family needs to submit a request.
What Is Summer EBT (SUN Bucks)?
Summer EBT stands for Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service runs the program under the name SUN Bucks. Congress authorized it permanently through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, making it an ongoing program rather than a temporary pandemic-era benefit.
The benefit amount is $120 per eligible school-age child for the summer. In Hawaii and U.S. territories, the benefit is $177 per child to account for higher grocery costs. Benefits load onto an EBT card, which works at grocery stores, supermarkets, and other authorized retailers the same way a SNAP card does.
Benefits typically expire 122 days after they are issued, so families should use them before the deadline printed on their card or benefit notice.
Summer EBT Eligibility Requirements
A child must meet two basic conditions to qualify for SUN Bucks:
- They must be school age (kindergarten through 12th grade, or age 5 to 18 for most states)
- Their household income must fall at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is the same threshold used for reduced-price school meals
Children are automatically eligible if their household already receives any of these benefits:
- SNAP (food stamps)
- TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
- FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations)
- Medicaid (in approximately 39 states that use direct certification)
Children who have already been approved for free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program also qualify automatically.
Categories that qualify regardless of income include children who are:
- Homeless
- Migrant
- Runaway
- Foster children
Income Limits for Summer EBT (2025-2026)
The income limits below apply to the 2025-2026 eligibility period. To qualify, household income must be at or below 185% FPL. The table also shows the 130% FPL threshold, which is the cutoff for free meals (as opposed to reduced-price meals).
| Household Size | 130% FPL (Annual) | 185% FPL (Annual) | 185% FPL (Monthly) |
|---|
| 1 | $20,978 | $29,867 | $2,489 |
| 2 | $28,406 | $40,451 | $3,371 |
| 3 | $35,834 | $51,035 | $4,253 |
| 4 | $43,262 | $61,619 | $5,135 |
| 5 | $50,690 | $72,203 | $6,017 |
| 6 | $58,118 | $82,787 | $6,899 |
| 7 | $65,546 | $93,371 | $7,781 |
| 8 | $72,974 | $103,955 | $8,663 |
For households larger than 8 people, add approximately $10,584 per additional person to the 185% FPL annual figure.
A family of four qualifies for Summer EBT as long as their annual income does not exceed approximately $61,619. If your household already receives SNAP or your children receive free school meals, you do not need to check the income table because they qualify automatically.
Which States Participate in Summer EBT 2026?
Summer EBT is optional for states. As of 2026, 37 states plus Washington D.C., U.S. territories, and five Indian Tribal Organizations are participating.
States NOT participating in Summer EBT 2026:
Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming have opted out.
If you live in one of these states, your children will not receive SUN Bucks benefits in 2026 through the federal program. Some of these states run their own summer meal programs through different channels, such as the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), where children can eat free meals at community sites. You can find nearby summer meal sites at the USDA's summer meals finder at summerfood.fns.usda.gov.
States participating in Summer EBT 2026 include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, among others. Iowa joined the program for the first time in 2026.
Check the USDA SUN Bucks page at fns.usda.gov/summer/sunbucks for the most current state list, as participation can change each year.
How Summer EBT Benefits Are Delivered
Automatic enrollment. Most eligible children do not need to apply. The state cross-checks school enrollment records against SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF databases. If your child is directly certified, a new EBT card arrives in the mail pre-loaded with the benefit, typically in late May or early June.
New card. If your household has never received SNAP or other EBT benefits, you will receive a separate SUN Bucks card by mail. It will not load onto an existing SNAP card in most states.
Timing. Benefits for summer 2026 are expected to arrive in late May or early June in most participating states. Some states issue benefits in a single $120 lump sum, while others spread it as three $40 monthly payments.
How to Apply for Summer EBT
If your household does not receive SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, and your children are not already approved for free or reduced-price school meals, you may need to submit an application.
Step 1: Check if your state participates.
Visit fns.usda.gov/summer/sunbucks and confirm your state is on the list. If your state does not participate, you can skip the remaining steps and look for alternative summer meal sites instead.
Step 2: Find your state's application portal.
Each state runs its own application process. Search for "[your state] SUN Bucks application" or "[your state] Summer EBT application" to find the official state portal. Avoid third-party sites that may charge fees.
Step 3: Gather your documents.
Most state applications ask for:
- Proof of identity for each child (birth certificate, school ID, or enrollment records)
- Proof of household income (pay stubs, tax return, or employer letter)
- Current address and mailing address
- Social Security numbers for household members (not always required)
Step 4: Submit before the deadline.
Application deadlines vary by state, but many close in May or early June before the summer benefit window opens. Apply as early as possible to avoid missing the cutoff.
Step 5: Watch the mail.
If approved, a new EBT card will arrive by mail. Keep an eye out for it and activate it following the instructions on the card. Do not throw out unexpected mail from your state's benefit agency.
What You Can Buy with Summer EBT Benefits
Summer EBT follows the same purchasing rules as SNAP. You can use the benefits to buy:
- Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs)
- Bread, cereals, and grains
- Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and plants that produce food
You cannot use Summer EBT benefits for:
- Hot prepared foods or restaurant meals
- Alcohol or tobacco
- Vitamins, medicines, or supplements
- Non-food household items
- Pet food
Summer EBT and Other Food Programs
Summer EBT works alongside other food assistance programs, not instead of them. Receiving SUN Bucks does not affect your household's SNAP benefits, WIC, or any other program eligibility. You can receive both SNAP and Summer EBT at the same time.
For families in non-participating states, or as a supplement, the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) offer free meals at school sites, parks, libraries, and community centers throughout the summer. These sites serve all children under 18 at no cost, no application needed.
If your family qualifies for summer food assistance, you may also want to check eligibility for year-round SNAP benefits, WIC, and school meal programs. Running a quick eligibility check helps you make sure you are not leaving benefits on the table.
Check your eligibility for SNAP, WIC, and more programs at our free screener.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Summer EBT and SNAP?
SNAP is a year-round monthly food assistance program. Summer EBT is a one-time summer payment of $120 per child designed specifically to replace school meal access during the summer. You can receive both at the same time. SNAP has its own income and resource limits, while Summer EBT eligibility is tied to school meal eligibility.
Do I need to apply if my family already gets SNAP?
No. If your household receives SNAP, your school-age children are automatically eligible for Summer EBT and will be enrolled without any action on your part. The benefit card will arrive by mail.
What if my child qualifies for free school meals but my family does not receive SNAP?
Children approved for free or reduced-price school meals are automatically eligible for Summer EBT. In most cases, the state will enroll them automatically using school records. If you do not receive a card and your child is enrolled in free meals, contact your state's Summer EBT program or your child's school to confirm enrollment.
How long do Summer EBT benefits last?
Benefits expire 122 days after they are issued. Check the expiration date on your card or the notice you receive in the mail. Unused benefits are forfeited after the expiration date.
Can I use Summer EBT at farmers markets?
Yes, in many states. Farmers markets that are authorized SNAP retailers accept Summer EBT cards. Some states also run programs that let you stretch Summer EBT dollars further at farmers markets. Contact your local farmers market to confirm they accept EBT.
What if I move to a non-participating state before summer?
Benefits are tied to the state where your child is enrolled in school. If you move to a non-participating state before the benefit window, your child may not receive benefits for that summer. If you move after benefits have already been issued, you should still be able to use them at authorized retailers in any state.
My child is homeschooled. Do they qualify?
This depends on the state. Some states extend Summer EBT to homeschooled children who meet income requirements, while others limit benefits to children enrolled in schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program. Check with your specific state's program for guidance.
Is Summer EBT the same as P-EBT?
No. P-EBT (Pandemic EBT) was a temporary program created during COVID-19 that provided benefits when schools were closed. Summer EBT is a permanent program authorized by Congress in 2023. They work similarly but are separate programs. P-EBT has ended in most states.
What if my state does not participate?
If your state does not offer Summer EBT, your children can still access free summer meals through the SFSP or SSO programs. These programs provide free meals at community sites throughout the summer to all children under 18 at no cost and with no income check required. Text "FOOD" to 304-304 or visit the USDA summer meals finder to locate a site near you.
Where can I check all the programs my family qualifies for?
Our free screener checks eligibility for SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, CHIP, LIHEAP, school meals, and more programs based on your household size, income, and state. It takes about two minutes.
Run a free eligibility check now.
