SUN Bucks Program Provides Students with Food Over Summer Break

In efforts to continue to provide our students with valuable resources, Community Schools Engagement Coordinator, Mr. Thomas shared information that may benefit some students.

In April of 2025, Governor Gavin Newsome announced that SUN Bucks, a program that provides children in need with funds for food, will be continuing during the summer break period for 2025.

According to the official Governor of California website, “4 million eligible California children will automatically receive SUN Bucks EBT cards that can be used to purchase groceries starting in June, and each eligible child will receive $120.” The funds are meant to be distributed across the summer months of June, July, and August, providing students with $40 a month to use for groceries. 

Please see below for more information on how the program operates as well as direct instruction from the Governor of California website on how students can apply.

How SUN Bucks works

Most children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals through a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application, or receive CalFresh, CalWORKs, and/or Medi-Cal benefits (certified at or below 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level), are automatically enrolled. Children in foster care, experiencing homelessness or attending Head Start are also categorically eligible and are automatically enrolled. Based on California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and California Department of Education (CDE) data, more than 4 million children will be automatically enrolled this year.

Children who are not determined to be automatically eligible may apply by submitting a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application to their school or school administrator’s office by September 1, 2025, in order to receive SUN Bucks benefits for summer 2025.

SUN Bucks cards for summer 2025 are scheduled to arrive in the mail beginning in June and will continue until mailings are complete. SUN Bucks EBT cards will provide $120 per child, which is equivalent to $40 per month for June, July, and August, the three months schools are typically closed.

Regardless of when a SUN Bucks EBT card is mailed or received, every card is loaded with the full $120 per child. Per federal rules, funds must be used within 122 days of the funds being added to the card. Any unused funds on the card will expire after 122 days. Expired benefits cannot be replaced. Visit the CDSS website for more information.

Participation in SUN Bucks will have no bearing on eligibility for CalFresh or any other public benefit program. Children who receive SUN Bucks may still participate in other summer meal options, such as SUN Meals.