$120 per child this summer as 35 states join the federal SUN Bucks food benefit program

After a weekend of celebrations, we could all do with some extra money, but trying to find some is like getting blood from a stone or trying to predict summer rain. However, this summer, it will most definitely be raining $120 cash for citizens in all the qualifying states. Find out today which states will be hit this summer, and what you can do to fill up your bucket.

It will be raining cash this summer

Summer is a wonderful time to allow students a well-deserved break and relaxation, but for many households, it is a stressful time with caregivers trying to keep up with all the additional grocery expenses. Luckily, it will be raining cash for millions of US families this summer. A federal program will distribute a one-time payment to families to help cover the free meals that were offered at schools before the break.

In 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) determined that this program would assist 21 million children by distributing nearly $2.5 billion across 35 states, four tribal nations, and five US territories. This program is the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program, better known as Summer EBT or SUN Bucks. Summer EBT will fund low-income families $120 per qualifying child to assist with groceries.

The one-time funds are available on Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which are valid for use at stores and farmers markets that allow SNAP. The funds can be used on any item as indicated by the SNAP guidelines, including meat, poultry, dairy products, grain, fruits, and vegetables. Non-food items such as alcohol, cleaning supplies, or hot prepared meals are not allowed for purchase.

These states will be eligible this summer

The federal government is already funding the SNAP benefits and will also fund the Summer EBT program. The program will be available to all qualifying children from the tribal nations, including the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Oklahoma’s Choctaw, Muscogee, and the Otoe-Missouria Tribe. The five US territories that will also participate in the program are American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

All these states will be eligible for the Summer EBT program

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Hawaii
Illinois
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin

Follow these steps to get your cash

No application will be necessary, as children who are enrolled in government assistance programs, or who receive free or more affordable school meals will automatically qualify for the Summer EBT program. This includes:

Households with children reliant on either SNAP, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or Medicaid
Students enrolled in schools with the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, and who meet income criteria

If you believe your household qualifies, but were not automatically enrolled in the program, you can still apply through your state’s Summer EBT portal. According to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, if your state is not participating in Summer EBT, you still have the option of SUN MEALS, which are available at schools, parks, and other areas across the U.S.

While it may be raining cash this summer, the exact dates will vary from state to state. Ensure you check your state’s official Summer EBT website to see precisely when the payments will be distributed. Note that the $120 benefits expire 122 days after distribution, so use them quickly, but wisely. Check out the latest news on other federal programs.

Disclaimer: Our coverage of stimulus checks, tax reliefs, tax rebates, tax credits, and other payments is based on the official sources listed in the article. All payment amounts and dates, as well as eligibility requirements, are subject to change by the governing institutions. Always consult the official source we provide to stay up-to-date and obtain information for your decision-making.

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