Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Photo Credits: USDA
Summer EBT, SUN Meals, and SUN Bucks
Nearly 30 million children participate in USDA’s school breakfast and lunch programs on an average school day. When school is out for the summer, kids lose access to these healthy meals, but they still need nutritious food to grow healthy and strong.
This year, Riverside and San Bernardino counties will offer new summer nutrition options to help our children reach their full potential. This program is called Summer EBT and encompasses both SUN Meals and SUN Bucks.
What is Summer EBT?
With Summer EBT, or SUN Meals, kids 18 and under can get free meals and snacks at schools, parks, and other group meal locations. In some rural areas, SUN Meals To-Go can be picked up or delivered. And the new SUN Bucks helps families stretch grocery budgets with a $120 grocery benefit for each eligible school-aged child, so you can buy more of the foods your children love!
Who is Eligible?
Your child is eligible if your household already participates in SNAP of TANF if they attend a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program, and if your household income meets the guidelines.
Eligibility is simple, with a participation locator that will show you if your area is participating, and – with a 30-second eligibility test – you can see if you’re able to receive these additional benefits.
You do not need to be a U.S. citizen and participation will not affect you or your family’s immigration status.
How to Sign Up
If you’re interested in participating in the Summer EBT program, go to SummerEBT.org to connect to your state site and sign up. If you have had SNAP or TANF since July 2023, benefits will be added to your card automatically. You may not see your benefits right away, but you can check your state website to see when you should expect to receive them.
You will not need to provide a Social Security Number (SSN) or proof of citizenship. Your Summer EBT application is private and protected.
What You Can Buy
With the Summer EBT or SUN Bucks, you can purchase fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, bread, cereals, snack foods, and non-alcoholic beverages at grocery stores, farmer’s markets, convenience stores, and online retailers.
Dig in and find out what’s available to your family by visiting: SummerEBT.org or by contacting our Program Coordinator, Heaven at hhuerta@feedingamericaie.org.
Sources:
"Sun Programs: USDA's Summer Nutrition Program for Kids." USDA.gov 6/14/2024. https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sunbucks