New SUN Bucks grocery benefit program opened July 1, 2024 | See if you need to apply. If so, deadline is Aug. 31, 2024
(July 18, 2024)
SUN Bucks is a new program to help children stay fed in summer by providing a one-time benefit to purchase healthy, nutritious food.
SUN Bucks is a federal program. In Pennsylvania, the PA Dept. of Human Services is administering the program.
Many eligible children will automatically qualify.
If families already have an electronic benefit (EBT) card, SUN Bucks benefits will be automatically added to this card.
The money is expected to be added starting in mid-August. The program is planned to be permanent.
Families who do not have an EBT card will receive a Summer EBT card in the mail.
Children who are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks do NOT need to apply:
if they or their family already qualify for Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP / food stamps) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF);
if they already qualify for Medicaid with qualifying income for the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program (NSLP); or
if they applied for and were eligible for free or reduced-priced school meals.
Families whose children are NOT automatically eligible:
Those who attend a school where all students receive free or reduced-price school meals under the Community Eligibility Provision but the family does not meet the automatic eligibility criteria. Complete a paper SUN Bucks application (scroll down for links to the PDF application in English and Spanish.
Full program details from the PA Dept. of Human Services
Elgibility Navigator
Most eligible households will get SUN Bucks automatically if they are getting other benefits.
However, some households may need to apply for the program.
Use the Eligibility Navigator to find out if your child is eligible for SUN Bucks and if you need to apply.
If you need to apply, here’s how:
If you are not automatically enrolled and think your children are eligible, you can apply for SUN Bucks. Fill out the application form:
Deadline to apply
Applications received on or before Aug. 31, 2024 will be considered for SUN Bucks in 2024.
Applications received after Aug. 31, 2024 will be considered for SUN Bucks next year, in summer 2025.
Further reading
Applications Now Open For New SUN Bucks Summer Food Program Ensuring Kids Have Healthy, Nutritious Meals During Summer Months (Pennsylvania government press release, July 1, 2024)
How LASP may be able to help
Legal Aid may be able to help if your benefits are denied.
Contact Legal Aid for free legal services:if SUN Bucks or other public benefits (SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, etc.) are denied and you believe you are eligible.
How to contact legal aid:
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA if you live in Bucks, Chester, Delaware or Montgomery counties: 877-429-5994 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or online 24/7 at lasp.org/apply.
Community Legal Services if you live in Philadelphia: 215-227-2400.
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (All 67 counties in Pennsylvania are served by legal aid organizations that provide free legal help to qualified individuals.)