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SUN Bucks

Intro

SUN Bucks is an income-based food support program that provides families with $120 per eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out for the summer. Most eligible children are automatically enrolled. When children no longer receive free meals at school, their households might need extra help putting food on the table. The SUN Bucks program is designed to meet this seasonal need. 

Summer EBT is now SUN Bucks. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has rebranded all federal Summer Nutrition Programs under the SUN program umbrella. This new name reflects the broad, bright impact the programs have for kids across the nation and in Minnesota, helping them thrive during the summer and beyond. SUN Bucks is the official branded name of the Summer EBT program. 

Services/Topics
Eligibility

Eligibility

School-aged children between the ages of 7-17 whose households participate in specific public assistance programs, or children who have an approved application to receive free and reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program.

Benefits

Benefits

Eligible children get $120 on a SUN Bucks EBT card for the summer to spend on approved groceries. 

Resources
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Summer EBT
More Information
Important Updates:

SUN Bucks cards will be mailed by June 17 for children eligible through participation in a state program.

Children eligible through the free and reduced-price school meal program may not be listed on initial notices of eligibility and will receive their benefits later in the summer. Please wait until end of June to inquire about children who fall into this eligibility category.

Who is Eligible?

Children are automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks if they are eligible for any length of time between July 1, 2024 – Aug. 31, 2025. A child can be eligible for SUN Bucks in any of the following ways: 

Is between the ages of 7-17 and is:

  • Homeless, runaway, migrant or foster care

Is between the ages of 7-17 and a member of a household that participates in any of the following programs:

  • Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • Medical Assistance (MA) (Household must meet income requirements, see chart below.)
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

Attends a school or early education program that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) and meet one of the following:

  • Their application for free or reduced-price school meals was approved
  • They qualify through one of the categories listed above 

There are no age restrictions for children who qualify by attending a NSLP or SBP school. 

Participation in SUN Bucks does not affect immigration status.

How a child qualifies based on household income

This chart was last updated July 1, 2024. The income requirements to qualify for the free and reduced-price meal program are the same.  

Household size

Annual

Monthly

Twice per month

Every two weeks

Weekly

1

$28,953

$2,413

$1,207

$1,114

$557

2

$39,128

$3,261

$1,631

$1,505

$753

3

$49,303

$4,109

$2,055

$1,897

$949

4

$59,478

$4,957

$2,479

$2,288

$1,144

5

$69,653

$5,805

$2,903

$2,679

$1,340

6

$79,828

$6,653

$3,327

$3,071

$1,536

7

$90,003

$7,501

$3,751

$3,462

$1,731

8

$100,178

$8,349

$4,175

$3,853

$1,927

For each additional family member, add

$10,175

$848

$424

$392

$196

How to check a child’s eligibility 

Families with children who are not automatically enrolled (see above for criteria) and who haven’t already applied for the free and reduced-price meal program for the 2024-2025 school year can take a few steps to find out if they qualify: 

  1. Check to see if the household falls within the income limits outlined in the chart above. 
  1. If the household meets income requirements, contact the child's school to see if it participates in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program. 
  1. If the child’s school participates and the household meets the income requirements, submit an application for free or reduced-price school meals. Contact the child’s school or school district for this application. 
  1. Confirm that the school has the child’s current address. To receive updates about the program, make sure the school has the parent/guardian’s current email address and phone number.

How the SUN Bucks program works

For each eligible child, families will receive a new SUN Bucks card. Their account will have $120 in benefits for the summer period ($40 per month for June, July and August). SUN Bucks cards can be used just like an EBT card. Learn more about where to shop with a SUN Bucks card, what participants can buy and more on the Minnesota EBT card webpage. 

  • The card will be labeled SUN Bucks. The child's name and card number will be printed on the front of the card 
  • Benefits can be used at authorized retailers, such as grocery stores and farmers markets, to purchase healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, meats and other protein sources, whole grains and dairy 
  • SUN Bucks benefits will expire 122 days after the benefit availability date. Please visit www.ebtedge.com or call ebtEDGE customer service at 888-997-2227 for the child’s specific benefit issuance date.
  • After using all the benefits, keep the card in a safe place. If the child qualifies for SUN Bucks in future years, the benefits will be accessible from the same card. If the card is lost, contact Edge for a replacement. 
  • Families who receive other EBT benefits should begin using their SUN Bucks card as soon as possible and use up all SUN Bucks benefits before continuing to use their regular EBT benefits 
  • Families with eligible children who have provided their cell phone number will receive text messages about the SUN Bucks program. Families can opt out at any time. Standard data and message rates apply. See terms and conditions.  
The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families will never ask for a PIN or SUN Bucks card number by text.

There has been a rise in EBT card benefit theft in Minnesota and across the United States. SUN Bucks cardholders can protect their benefits by keeping their PIN private, changing their PIN often, and never giving their card number or PIN information over the phone or text.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement | Food and Nutrition Service

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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

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Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card

Minnesota offers benefits loaded on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which looks and works like a debit card. The card can be used at point-of-sale machines for cash or food purchases, or at ATMs for cash only.
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Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)

The Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) helps families with children meet their basic needs, while helping parents move to financial stability through work. Caregivers are expected to work and are supported with both cash and food assistance.