Starting this summer, low-income families can ensure their children have adequate nutrition while school is out with California SUN Bucks, also called Summer-EBT (S-EBT), a new federal meal program launched by the California Department of Social Services. SUN Bucks is a new permanent program that helps families with school-aged children buy groceries during the summer months, June through August 2024, when children might not have access to school meals.
For summer 2024, the state will automatically enroll approximately 5 million eligible children based on existing school and social services data.
Children will automatically get SUN Bucks if:
- They are age 6 – 18 years and get CalFresh, CalWORKs or Medi-Cal; OR
- They are age 0 – 22 years, attending schools that are a part of National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Programs, AND are approved for free or reduced-price meals.
- Note: Parents and caretakers should check with their child’s school to make sure their free or reduced-price meal application or Alternative Income Form is on file.
- Children who are attending Head Start, experiencing homelessness, living in foster care or are part of a migrant family are also automatically eligible.
SUN Bucks are put on an S-EBT card that will be mailed out during the months of June through September 2024. Each eligible child will receive one card with $120 to buy groceries – that’s $40 per month for June, July and August. The S-EBT card can be used just like a debit card to buy food like fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains, and dairy at grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and other places that accept CalFresh EBT benefits. Children who get SUN Bucks can still participate in other summer meal programs.
SUN Bucks must be used within 122 days of funds being loaded to the S-EBT card. Any unused money on the card after 122 days will expire. Expired benefits cannot be replaced or put back on the card.
Families are encouraged to update their mailing address, so their SUN Bucks are sent to the right place.
Those receiving CalWORKs, CalFresh or Medi-Cal, can update their address online at BenefitsCal.com, call 1 (877) 410-8829, or visit their local county office.
Parents of children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals can update their address at their child’s school of attendance.
For additional information about SUN Bucks, please visit the California Department of Social Services website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks.
Additional County Update News – June 13, 2024
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- County provides emergency services to Daggett residents when water supply fails
- Animal Care, Office of Emergency Services, Public Health join forces to promote National Pet Preparedness Month
- Children and Family Services shows appreciation for caregivers at the Foster-Adoptive-Kinship Family Picnics
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- Operation Consequences June 1 through June 7
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