New SUN Bucks Program Supports Summer Food Access for Washington Children

OLYMPIA?May 13, 2024?More than 500,000 Washington children will receive funds this summer to help buy food through a new Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program called SUN Bucks.

In December 2022, the federal government authorized a permanent, nationwide Summer EBT program to support children?s access to food during the summer months. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) received federal approval to implement SUN Bucks in April 2024 and is partnering with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to distribute these benefits starting this summer.

"Students need nutritious meals to learn and grow," said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. "The Summer EBT program provides essential support to children across Washington during the summer months when they don?t have their regular access to school meals. This program is an important way that we support the well-being of children and families across our state."

?No child should suffer from hunger,? said DSHS Secretary Jilma Meneses. ?Every bit of support we can provide families is critically important, especially during the summer months when other resources are not as readily available.?

The SUN Bucks benefits, a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child in each household, will be deposited onto new SUN Bucks cards and mailed beginning in early June.

Some children will be automatically eligible for SUN Bucks, while others will need to apply. Students may be automatically eligible for Summer EBT if they:

• Are enrolled at a school that offers the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) and qualify through a meal application or Family Income Survey; or
• Are age 8?18 and are a member of a household that receives benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food Assistance Program (FAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or State-Funded Assistance (SFA).

Students who do not qualify automatically can apply by submitting a Summer EBT application. To qualify for SUN Bucks, these students must:

• Be enrolled at a school that participates in the NSLP or SBP, and
• Live in a household that meets NSLP Income Eligibility Guidelines to qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

The SUN Bucks application will soon be available online in English and Spanish. Applications will be accepted through August 31.

The Public Charge rule does not apply to SUN Bucks benefits and will not impact immigration status.

SUN Bucks benefits are in addition to other summer Child Nutrition Programs already offered. Families are encouraged to continue participating in congregate and grab-n-go meals as well as other summer food programs at their local schools and community locations, even if they receive Summer EBT benefits.

Starting May 13, families who need to apply or who have other questions about SUN Bucks benefits can call the SUN Bucks Contact Center at 1-833-543-3230 (TTY: 1-800-833-6348) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday?Friday (except observed holidays). Later this month, families can opt in for text messaging alerts about their child?s SUN Bucks status at textsunbucks.dshs.wa.gov.

Contact Information

OSPI Contact: Katy Payne, [email protected], 360-764-0201

DSHS Contact: Norah West, [email protected], 360-902-7833