• What Are SUN Bucks?

    SUN Bucks, also called Summer-EBT, is a new federally funded food program that helps families with school-age children buy groceries during the summer (June, July, and August) when kids might not have access to school meals. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is implementing this new program in partnership with the California Department of Education (CDE). SUN Bucks are put on an EBT card. Children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through a school meal application, an Alternative Income Form, CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal are automatically enrolled. Most qualified children are automatically enrolled and will receive EBT cards in the mail. Also, children who are attending Head Start, experiencing homelessness, living in foster care, or part of a migrant family are eligible. Some children may need to sign up. Participating in SUN Bucks does not affect a family's immigration status. Each eligible child in the family will get one card with $120 to buy groceries. The children will get their SUN Bucks on an EBT card in the mail from June through September 2025. SUN Bucks must be used within 122 days of funds being loaded onto the card. Any unused money on the card after 122 will expire. 

    You can reach the SUN Bucks helpline for cardholder support at (887) 928-9677. The automated system is available 24/7, and live agents are ready to assist you Monday through Friday, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. To check your benefit balance and claim status, please visit the California EBT cardholder website. 

    SUN Bucks

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