Millions of kids are living with hunger in the United States today. And for children who rely on free meals at school, summer can be the hungriest time of year. Known nationally as Summer EBT (SEBT), this summer food program helps families buy food during the summer months when school cafeterias close. Millions of kids in California will receive SUN Bucks benefits automatically, but some families will still need to apply to receive the summer food benefits.
The impact is clear. In Summer 2024, California has provided approximately $672 million in SUN Bucks benefits to over 5.6 million children throughout the state!
With your support, we’ll make sure every child gets the food they need during the summer. This toolkit was created to help you get the word out to families about the grocery benefit available for children and teens this summer.
- SUN Bucks Overview
- Social Media Graphics
- Social Media Sample Posts
- Website & Newsletter Blurb
- Emails, Text, & Robocalls Scripts for Kids Who May Have to Apply
- Factsheets for Families and School Staff
- Appendix
SUN Bucks Overview
What are SUN Bucks?
Summer EBT, also known as SUN Bucks in California, is a federal program intended to help families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer when school is not in session.
The maximum SUN Bucks benefit is $40 per eligible child, per month, for each of the three months when schools are closed for the summer (June, July, and August). Simply, households will receive a one-time single benefit amount of $120 per eligible child.
Children who get SUN Bucks can still participate in Summer Meal Programs as well as other benefit programs like CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and WIC.
Who is Eligible for SUN Bucks?
Eligible children will automatically be enrolled to get SUN Bucks if:
- They are age 6 – 18 years and get CalFresh, CalWORKS, and/or Medi-Cal (certified at or under the 185% of the Federal Poverty Level); including homeschooled children; OR
- They are age 0 – 22 years, attending schools that are part of National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or School Breakfast Programs (SBP), AND are determined eligible for free or reduced price meals. Check with your child’s school to make sure your free or reduced-price school meal application or Universal Benefits Application (UBA) is on file.
Children who are attending Head Start, experiencing homelessness, living in foster care or part of a migrant family are also automatically eligible.
If an eligible child age 0 – 22 years, is not automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks, an application is needed! Families with eligible children can:
- Apply to receive CalFresh, CalWORKS, and/or Medi-Cal (certified at or under the 185% of the Federal Poverty Level): OR
- Submit a School Meal Application or Universal Benefits Application (UBA) to their child’s school by September 2, 2025 to determine SUN Bucks eligibility. Ask their child’s school for the forms. Click on the link to learn more information on income eligibility guidelines.
- We encourage families with entering school-aged children and even graduated high school seniors to submit a UBA to their school to determine SUN Bucks eligibility.
You can use and share this SUN Bucks Eligibility Tool*
*This tool is for informational purposes only and is not an eligibility determination. It is neither owned nor maintained by No Kid Hungry, California Department of Education or California Department of Social Services.
Learn more, visit How to Get SUN Bucks.
How to Get SUN Bucks
Most eligible children are considered “streamlined certified” or automatically enrolled and do not have to apply for SUN Bucks.
Children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals through a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application, or get CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal (certified at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level), are automatically enrolled.
However, children who have not previously qualified for free or reduced-price meals may also qualify for SUN Bucks. To check if your child is eligible, ask your child’s school for a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application. Click here to visit the California Department of Education webpage for downloading the Universal Benefits Application. Complete the form and return it to the school by September 2, 2025.
Applying with the Universal Benefits Application (UBA)
Apply with the UBA
Children ages 0 – 22 years, who are NOT determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school or attend a school operating under a federal provision like the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) or Provision 2 (P2) may be eligible for SUN Bucks.
The California Department of Education (CDE) has created a new Universal Benefits Application (UBA) template for use by local educational agencies (LEAs) that participate in a federal school nutrition program and operate under a federal provision like the CEP and P2. The California Department of Social Services estimates 1.1 million children will need to submit a School Meal Application or Universal Benefits Application to determine SUN Bucks eligibility. Help promote the application before its too late. Families must complete the UBA and return it to your their child’s school by September 2, 2025!
Click the link to download the Universal Benefits Application (UBA)(DOCX) template.
SUN Bucks Card Mailing Schedule
How to Get SUN Bucks
Eligible children will get SUN Bucks mailed to their home for each eligible child. Most families will begin receiving their 2025 SUN Bucks cards in early June through August. Due to the large volume of automatically eligible children (nearly 5 million), issuances will occur in two stages:
- Stage 1: Automatically enrolled kids will begin receiving their cards in June through August. Cards will be mailed in alphabetical order by the child’s last name (A-Z).
Stage 1: Estimated Card Delivery by Month & Last Name for Automatically Enrolled Kids
| Month | Last Name Starting Letter |
| Early June | A – C |
| Mid-June | D – F |
| Late June | G – L |
| Early July | M – P |
| Mid-July | R – S |
| Late July | T – Z |
- Stage 2: Enrolled kids will begin getting their cards in August until mailing is complete. Enrolled kids will get their cards in Stage 2 if they were: (1) not automatically enrolled in Stage 1, and (2) determined eligible after the start of Stage 1. This includes kids who were determined eligible based on:
- Universal Benefits Application,
- School Meal Applications, or
- Getting CalWORKs, CalFresh, or Medi-Cal (below 185% FPL)
Regardless of when the card is received, every SUN Bucks card will be loaded with the full $120 per child.
Contact the SUN Bucks Helpline (877) 328-9677
If families have a concern with their eligibility status, need help setting up their PIN, request replacement cards, verify the value in their SUN Bucks card, submit a dispute, or to opt out of SUN Bucks, they can call the SUN Bucks Helpline at (877) 328-9677.
The helpline provides automated support 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Live agents are available Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. To check your benefit balance and claim status, visit the California EBT cardholder website.
Ready to Use Digital Resources & Templates
Social Media Tools (graphics and sample posts)
Social media can be a great way to promote your summer food programs and keep families informed. Pair one of our customizable social media graphics with one of our sample posts for ready-to-go content!
The graphics are provided in Canva, so you can customize them digitally and print them yourself. Simply click the “Live Template-Canva” link below and then select the “edit template” or “use template for new design” option to create your print materials. Canva is a free online graphic design platform. Canva Pro is also free for all registered nonprofits. Learn more here.
Graphics
Additionally, we invite you to check out our Summer Meals Outreach Toolkit. This toolkit provides an array of templates and copy for print materials, scripts and more. Couple your SUN Bucks outreach with Summer Meals!
Sample Posts
All sample posts are under 280 characters.
About SUN Bucks
- This summer, SUN Bucks will provide grocery benefits over the summer months to families with eligible school-age kids. Learn more about #SUNBucks: https://cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks #EndSummerHunger
- DYK about #SUNBucks, a summer food program that helps combat summer childhood hunger. Families with eligible school-age children will receive $120 per child during the summer for groceries. Starts June 2025. Learn more: https://cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks #EndSummerHunger
- When school is out for the summer & food budgets are tight, you can get help to make sure your kids get healthy meals with #SummerMeals & #SUNBucks, a summer food program for families with eligible school-age kids. Learn more: https://cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks #EndSummerHunger
Who is Eligible?
- If you’re already receiving food benefits such as CalFresh, CalWORKS, or Medi-Cal, your school-age children are eligible for the #SUNBucks program. Find out more here: https://cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks #EndSummerHunger
- If your child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program & your household income meets the requirements for free & reduced-price school meals, your child can receive #SUNBucks grocery benefits. Find out more here: https://cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks
Enrollment
- If you’re already receiving food benefits such as CalFresh, CalWORKS, or Medi-Cal, & have school-age children, you will automatically be enrolled in #SUNBucks. Find out more here: https://cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks #EndSummerHunger
- Enrollment for the #SUNBucks program begins June 2025. Learn who is eligible, who may be automatically enrolled, and more here: https://cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks #EndSummerHunger
How/When to Apply
- Need a little extra help with your child’s nutrition this summer? Enrollment for the #SUNBucks program is now open! Check if you’re eligible & apply by Sep. 2, 2025 to ensure your family has money for groceries in the summer. Learn more: https://cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks
- See if your kids are eligible for #SUNBucks, the new summer food program helping families when school cafeterias are closed. Apply by Sep. 2, 2025 to start receiving these new grocery benefits. https://cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks #EndSummerHunger
How SUN Bucks Works
- Great news! Eligible school-age children in California can get #SUNBucks – $120 per child in grocery benefits during the summer. The program starts in June 2025. More information: https://cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks #EndSummerHunger
- Beginning this summer, families in California can get $120 in EBT benefits, per eligible school-age child, to use for groceries while school is out in summer. Learn more about the #SUNBucks program: https://cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks #EndSummerHunger
- Find out where you can use #SUNBucks summer grocery benefits using @USDANutrition’s EBT retailer locator: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator #EndSummerHunger
Spread the Word
- Experiencing food insecurity as a child can have long-term impacts on academic achievement as well as mental & physical health. Help us spread the word about the #SUNBucks grocery benefits program with this toolkit: https://bit.ly/3SnShfX #EndSummerHunger
- Many kids benefit from school meal programs during the school year, but they lose access to these meals over the summer. Spread the word about #SUNBucks, a grocery benefits program to support parents in keeping their kids healthy over the summer. Use this toolkit: https://bit.ly/3SnShfX
Website & Newsletter Blurb
SUN Bucks is back this summer! Parents and caregivers can buy more food for their children with SUN Bucks when schools are out for the summer.
Simply, children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through a school meal application or the Universal Benefits Application (UBA), or get CalFresh, CalWORKS, or Medi-Cal, are automatically enrolled. SUN Bucks provides $40 per month for food for June, July and August 2024 ($120 total).
SUN Bucks is a summer food program that helps families with school-age children buy groceries during the summer when kids might not have access to school meals. Children and families can participate in both SUN Bucks and summer meals, as well as other benefit programs like CalFresh and Medi-Cal.
Many children will get and receive SUN Bucks benefits automatically, but some families will need to verify their income to receive benefits. Unsure if your child is eligible for SUN Bucks, talk to your school and complete a School Meals Application or Universal Benefits Application.
For more information, visit CDSS’s SUN Bucks webpage. You can also call the SUN Bucks Helpline at (877) 328-9677.
Emails, Text Messages, & Robocalls for Kids Who May Have to Apply
We created specific messages and materials to use at Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and Provision 2 (P2) schools because it can be confusing to understand if children are receiving benefits automatically or need to apply. We want to work extra hard to inform these families! There are two email messages with guidance on timing of when to send them, text messages, robocall scripts, and a flyer that you can download and print.
Email 1: Awareness and Sign-Up
English
Subject line: It’s time to sign up for SUN Bucks!
Dear parents and families,
We’re reaching out to share important information about the SUN Bucks program. It’s just one program that can help families access healthy food over the summer.
What is SUN Bucks?
SUN Bucks provides an extra $40 for three months ($120 total) per eligible school-aged child for groceries during summer break. Last year, this program helped over 5.6 million kids in California access nutritious food while they were out of school!
Check to see if you’re eligible for SUN Bucks
You are eligible if your household is at or under 185% of federal poverty guidelines. Most eligible families on CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or WIC are automatically enrolled, but others (like you!) may qualify too. Go to summerebt.org and check the eligibility tool to see if your child is eligible and need to sign up. It’s quick and easy.
Sign up for SUN Bucks today!
Parents and families with eligible children can apply for SUN Bucks by submitting a School Meal Application or a “Universal Benefits Application” to your child’s school.
SUN Bucks works alongside other programs like Summer Meals to ensure children in California have access to nutritious food year-round. If you need help with an application, you can contact the food nutrition services department at your child’s school.
Español
Asunto: ¡Es hora de inscribirse en SUN Bucks!
Estimados padres y familias,
Queremos compartir información importante sobre el programa SUN Bucks. Es sólo uno de los programas que pueden ayudar a las familias a acceder a alimentos saludables durante el verano.
¿Qué es SUN Bucks?
SUN Bucks proporciona $40 dólares adicionales durante tres meses ($120 en total) por niño en edad escolar elegible para comprar alimentos durante las vacaciones de verano. El año pasado, este programa ayudó a más de 5.6 millones de niños en California a acceder a alimentos nutritivos mientras no estaban en la escuela.
Consulta si eres elegible para SUN Bucks
Tú eres elegible si tu hogar está en o por debajo del 185% de los niveles federales de pobreza. La mayoría de las familias elegibles en CalFresh, Medi-Cal, o WIC son inscritas automáticamente, pero otras (¡como tú!) también podrían calificar. Consulta aquí la California SUN Bucks herramienta de elegibilidad para ver si cumples los requisitos y necesitas inscribirte. Es rápido y fácil.
¡Inscríbete en el SUN Bucks hoy mismo!
Los padres y las familias con niños elegibles pueden solicitar SUN Bucks enviando una Solicitud de comida escolar o una “Solicitud de beneficios universales” a la escuela de sus hijos.
SUN Bucks trabaja junto con otros programas como Summer Meals para asegurar que los niños de California tengan acceso a alimentos nutritivos durante todo el año. Si necesitas ayuda con una solicitud, puede comunicarse con el departamento de servicios de nutrición alimentaria de la escuela de sus hijos.
Email 2: Welcome Back to School
English
Subject line: Don’t miss out on SUN Bucks support for your kids!
Dear parents and families,
As we kick off a new school year, we wanted to make sure you don’t miss out on SUN Bucks. If you haven’t already received your SUN Bucks benefits, eligible families can still apply to receive $120 per school-aged child until September 1st. This extra grocery support can help your family as you adjust to the new school year routines.
Check to see if you’re eligible for SUN Bucks
If you haven’t received SUN Bucks benefits for your child and could use extra grocery support, check to see if you’re eligible: summerebt.org
Next, sign up for SUN Bucks
If you’re eligible, you can apply by submitting a School Meal Application or “Universal Benefits Application (UBA)” at your child’s school.
Once you sign up and are enrolled, keep an eye out for an eligibility notice in your mailbox. Your SUN Bucks benefits will arrive on a new SUN Bucks card. If you have questions, go to cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks
Start the school year off right, with healthy grocery support from SUN Bucks.
Español
Asunto: ¡No te quedes sin la ayuda de SUN Bucks para tus hijos!
Estimados padres y familias,
Ahora que empieza un nuevo año escolar, queremos asegurarnos de que no te pierdas la ayuda de SUN Bucks. Si aún no has recibido tus beneficios de SUN Bucks, las familias elegibles todavía pueden inscribirse para recibir $120 por niño en edad escolar hasta el 1 de septiembre. Este apoyo adicional para alimentos puede ayudar a tu familia mientras se adapta a las rutinas del nuevo año escolar.
Consulta si eres elegible para SUN Bucks
Si no has recibido los beneficios de SUN Bucks para tus hijos y te vendría bien una ayuda adicional para alimentos, comprueba si calificas: summerebt.org
A continuación, inscríbete en SUN Bucks
Si es elegible, puede presentar su solicitud enviando una Solicitud de comidas escolares o una Solicitud de beneficios universales (UBA) a la escuela de su hijo.
Una vez que te hayas inscrito, espera a recibir un aviso de elegibilidad en tu buzón. Tus beneficios SUN Bucks llegarán en una nueva tarjeta de SUN Bucks. Si tienes preguntas, visita cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks
Empieza con fuerza el año escolar, con la ayuda de SUN Bucks para la compra de comestibles saludables.
Robocall Scripts
English
Hello! This is an important message from your child’s school about signing up for SUN Bucks support.
SUN Bucks is back! This program provides $120 in extra grocery benefits to eligible families with school-aged children during summer break. Last year, it helped 5.6 million kids in California access healthy food over the summer.
Most eligible families will be automatically enrolled, but some will need to apply. Signing up is quick and easy. Check if you need to apply at summerebt.org
Thank you and have a great day.
Spanish
¡Hola! Este es un mensaje importante de la escuela de tus hijos sobre cómo inscribirse para el apoyo de SUN Bucks.
¡Vuelve el SUN Bucks! Este programa proporciona $120 adicionales en beneficios de comestibles a familias elegibles con niños en edad escolar durante las vacaciones de verano. El año pasado, ayudó a 5.6 millones niños de California a acceder a alimentos saludables durante el verano.
La mayoría de las familias que califican serán inscritas automáticamente, pero algunas deberán solicitarlo. Inscribirse es rápido y fácil. Averigua si necesitas inscribirte en summerebt.org
Gracias y que tengas un buen día.
Text Message
English
SUN Bucks is back! Are you already signed up?
At your child’s school, unless you’re receiving CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or WIC, you may need to sign up for SUN Bucks. Here’s the deal:
SUN Bucks helps families with an extra $40 for three months ($120 total) per eligible school-aged child for groceries during summer break. Most eligible families are automatically enrolled, but others (like you!) may qualify too. You just need to sign up. It’s quick and easy. Find out if you’re eligible at summerebt.org
Then, if you’re eligible, families with eligible children can apply for SUN Bucks by submitting a School Meal Application or a “Universal Benefits Application” to your child’s school.
We’re here to help answer questions, just ask!
Spanish
¡Vuelve SUN Bucks! ¿Ya estás inscrito?
En la escuela de tus hijos, a menos que estés recibiendo CalFresh, Medi-Cal, o WIC, es posible que necesites inscribirte en SUN Bucks. De esto se trata:
¡SUN Bucks proporciona $40 dólares adicionales durante tres meses ($120 en total) por niño en edad escolar elegible para comprar alimentos durante las vacaciones de verano. La mayoría de las familias que califican son inscritas automáticamente, pero otras (¡como la tuya!) también pueden calificar. Solo tienes que inscribir a tu hijo/a. Es fácil y rápido. Averigua si calificas y necesitas inscribir a tu hijo/a hoy mismo en summerebt.org
Si eres elegible, las familias con niños elegibles pueden solicitar SUN Bucks enviando una Solicitud de comida escolar o una “Solicitud de beneficios universales” a la escuela de su hijo.
Estamos a tu disposición para resolver cualquier duda, ¡pregúntanos!
Factsheets in English y en Español
Click the links for downloadable and customizable hand out materials for families and school staff.
FAQs in English y en Español
Will children in school who are over the age of 18 be eligible for SUN Bucks?
Yes, they can be eligible if they were 18 during the school operational period and meet the eligibility requirements listed above.
Recently graduated high school seniors may be eligible for SUN Bucks, just submit a Universal Benefits Application to their school by September 2, 2025.
I don't know if my child is certified for free and reduced priced school meals. How do I find out more?
You will have to contact your child’s school to inquire about Free and Reduced price meal eligibility.
When is the last day to get approved for SUN Bucks?
The application period for Summer 2025 SUN Bucks program ends on September 2, 2025.
Where will cards be sent if a family is experiencing homelessness and does not have a mailing address?
A child’s school or a local County Department of Social Services can receive the SUN Bucks card on behalf of eligible families experiencing homelessness.
If a family already has an EBT card, will SUN Bucks benefits be added onto an existing card?
No, each eligible child will receive their own SUN Bucks EBT card, which will have their name listed on the card. This card is separate from your SUN Bucks EBT card from 2024 and CalFresh EBT card.
Si una familia ya tiene una tarjeta EBT, ¿se agregarán los beneficios de SUN Bucks a una tarjeta existente?
No, cada niño elegible recibirá su propia tarjeta EBT de SUN Bucks, cuyo nombre aparecerá en la tarjeta. Esta tarjeta es independiente de su tarjeta EBT de SUN Bucks de 2024 y de su tarjeta EBT de CalFresh.
¿A dónde se enviarán las tarjetas si una familia se encuentra sin hogar y no tiene una dirección postal?
La escuela de un niño o el Departamento de Servicios Sociales (CDSS) del condado local pueden recibir la tarjeta S-EBT en nombre de familias elegibles que se encuentran sin hogar.
¿Cuándo es el último día para obtener la aprobación para SUN Bucks?
El período de solicitud para el programa SUN Bucks de verano de 2025 finaliza el 2 de septiembre de 2025.
No sé si mi hijo está certificado para recibir comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido. ¿Cómo puedo saber más?
Comuníquese con la escuela de su hijo para consultar sobre la elegibilidad para recibir comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido.
¿Los niños mayores de 18 años en la escuela serán elegibles para recibir SUN Bucks?
Sí, pueden ser elegibles si tenían 18 años durante el período operativo de la escuela y cumplen con los requisitos de elegibilidad enumerados anteriormente.
Los estudiantes de último año de secundaria recientemente graduados pueden ser elegibles para recibir SUN Bucks, simplemente envíen una Solicitud de Beneficios Universales a su escuela antes del 2 de septiembre de 2025.
Appendix
Food Assistance Resources
- For immediate food assistance, find the closest food bank.
- Apply for CalFresh, CalWORKS, or Medi-Cal benefits at BenefitsCal.com.
- Find the closest Summer Meal Site by downloading CDE’s “CA Meals for Kids” Mobile Application
More information on the Summer EBT program.
- CA Department of Social Services
- CA SUN Bucks Helpline at (877) 328-9677.
- CA Department of Education
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Summer EBT Eligibility Tool
Together, we can #EndSummerHunger and make No Kid Hungry a reality.
Last update: May 29, 2025
