New $120 Food Stamps Payment for SNAP Beneficiaries This Summer

The USDA has rolled out a new initiative to help families with school-aged children during the summer. Known as SUN Bucks, this program aims to provide additional financial support to families who qualify for SNAP and other similar programs.

In an effort to ensure that children have access to nutritious food during the summer, the USDA, through its Food and Nutrition Service, has introduced the SUN Bucks program. Families who qualify can receive a $120 check per child, providing much-needed relief when school meals are unavailable.

SUN Bucks Overview

SUN Bucks is designed to assist U.S. families with eligible school-aged children. Although the maximum benefit is $120 per child, families with multiple children will receive more money accordingly. It’s essential to note that the program might go by different names depending on your state, similar to how SNAP is known as CalFresh in California.

Who Qualifies?

To qualify for SUN Bucks, your child must be of school age, typically between 5 and 18 years old. Additionally, your household must meet at least one of the following criteria:

1. Current Beneficiaries: Families already participating in programs like SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or those who have income-eligible Medicaid.
2. School Meal Programs: If your child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP), and your income qualifies for free or reduced-price meals.

Automatic Enrollment

Children from households already benefiting from SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR will be automatically enrolled in the SUN Bucks program. Similarly, children attending schools with NSLP or SBP who qualify for free or reduced-price meals will also be automatically enrolled.

Direct Application

For families who do not meet the automatic enrollment criteria, there is still an opportunity to apply directly for SUN Bucks. The USDA provides detailed income eligibility tables on their website to guide families through the application process.

How to Receive SUN Bucks

If you are a SNAP recipient, receiving SUN Bucks is straightforward. The benefits will be automatically loaded onto your existing EBT card if your children are eligible. The same process applies to families benefiting from FDPIR and TANF.

Non-SNAP Participants

Families whose children attend schools participating in the NSLP or SBP and meet the income requirements will also receive SUN Bucks automatically. Those who do not qualify for automatic enrollment can apply directly via the USDA website.

Key Differences

While both SUN Bucks and SNAP aim to provide financial support for food, they have distinct differences:

Aspect	SUN Bucks	SNAP
Target Group	School-aged children (5-18 years old)	Low-income households of all ages
Benefit Amount	$120 per child (one-time summer payment)	Varies based on household size and income (monthly)
Issuance	Loaded onto EBT card	Loaded onto EBT card
Expiry	122 days	Rolls over month-to-month if not spent
Automatic Enrollment	Yes, for eligible children in specific programs	Yes, based on household eligibility
Additional Programs	Can be used with summer feeding programs	Generally used for groceries
Program Name	Varies by state	Varies by state

Additional Information

SUN Bucks is a new initiative and differs from previous programs like the Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT). Not all children who received P-EBT will necessarily qualify for SUN Bucks, emphasizing the importance of understanding the specific eligibility criteria.

For more detailed information on income requirements and the application process, visit the USDA’s official SUN Bucks page.

In summary, the SUN Bucks program provides a crucial lifeline for families during the summer months, ensuring that children continue to receive nutritious food even when school is out. By knowing the eligibility requirements and application process, families can make the most of this valuable benefit.

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