Press Release: August 3, 2026
Contact: Laura Rice, nokidhungryca[at]strength.org
No Kid Hungry California Urges Families to Apply for SUN Bucks by August 31, 2026!
Each eligible child will receive $120 in summer grocery benefits
Sacramento, CA: Don’t miss out! California’s Summer EBT program, known as SUN Bucks, is back. This summer food program provides families $120 per eligible child in grocery benefits when school is out for summer and children do not have access to school meals.
While most children who qualify are automatically enrolled to receive SUN Bucks grocery benefits, some children will need to apply by the August 31, 2026 deadline.
Parents and guardians whose children did not yet receive a 2026 SUN Bucks card in the mail can check their child’s eligibility by visiting www.summerebt.org/states/california.
To apply, parents and guardians can simply ask their child’s school for a Universal Benefits Application (UBA). Complete and return the form to their child’s school by the August 31, 2026 deadline. The form will be evaluated to determine if their child is eligible for SUN Bucks.
“SUN Bucks helps connect kids with important nutrition, so they can return to school happy, healthy, and ready to learn,” said Kathy Saile, director of No Kid Hungry California. “We’re thankful for the many state and community partners who have worked hard to sustain and promote SUN Bucks this summer. It is important that families know about this opportunity and apply by August 31st.”
It’s also important for families to use SUN Bucks benefits before they expire. Benefits expire 122 days after they are issued. Any unspent benefits will expire after this time and cannot be reloaded.
Additional information about the SUN Bucks program, including eligibility criteria and frequently asked questions, can be found at cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks. Families can also call the SUN Bucks helpline at (877) 328-9677. Live agents are available Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
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About No Kid Hungry
No child should go hungry in America. But millions of kids in the United States live with hunger. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty. Join us at nokidhungry.org.
Last update: August 4, 2026
