This summer, DC rolled out its expanded SUN Bucks (“Summer EBT”) program. This program helps close the summer hunger gap when students do not have access to nutritious school meals. Eligible students will receive a one-time $120 Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) benefit to purchase food this summer.

The DC SUN Bucks program is part of a historic federal initiative to address child hunger during the summer months, when access to free and reduced-price school meals is interrupted. Originating as a pilot under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the program was formally established in 2023 through the bipartisan Consolidated Appropriations Act, which authorized a permanent Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program. The District of Columbia opted into the program beginning in summer 2024, branding it locally as the DC SUN Bucks. Administered by the DC Department of Human Services in partnership with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), DC SUN Bucks provides $120 per eligible child via EBT to help families afford groceries during the summer.

Administered by the DC Department of Human Services (DHS) in partnership with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), and starting June 11, 2025, eligible students began receiving $120 per child loaded onto EBT cards, with families officially notified in May 2025 and benefit issuance continuing through the summer (sunbucks.dc.gov). This marks a significant shift in how the federal and local governments work together to fight childhood food insecurity year-round.

According to the SUN Bucks website,  enrolled public and public charter school students automatically qualify if they: 

• Are between 5-18 years old and part of a household that participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF or cash assistance), or an income-eligible Medical Assistance program*; OR
• Are experiencing homelessness or in foster care; OR  
• Submit an application for free or reduced-price school meals during the current school year that was approved; OR
• Submit a 2024 SUN Bucks application on July 1, 2024, or later, were approved, and are still attending a school that offers the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).

Please note: Some children aged 5-18 who participate in an income-eligible Medical Assistance program but are not enrolled in school will need to complete a brief Medicaid opt-in form to confirm if they are preapproved.

If a child isn’t auto-enrolled, families can apply starting June 27, 2025, if the child attends a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participating school and the household is under 185% Federal Poverty Level (FPL). The application can be found here, and you can check the income guidelines here. 

Families and students who do not qualify automatically should consider: 

School Type

• Public, charter, and certain private NSLP schools are eligible. Homeschool and non-NSLP private schools can qualify only if families apply and meet income limits. 
• The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a special provision within the broader National School Lunch Program (NSLP). CEP allows high-poverty schools to offer free school meals to all students without requiring individual household applications. 
  • Please note: NSLP “CEP” schools offering universal free meals do not guarantee auto SUN Bucks; families still need to meet SNAP/TANF/Medicaid criteria or submit an application.

Socioeconomic Status

• Only households with income less than 185% of FPL qualify—those above that threshold are ineligible unless otherwise covered.

Immigration & Residency

• No citizenship requirement. The application explicitly states that immigration status is not considered. This makes SUN Bucks particularly important for immigrant families, including mixed-status households. It is essential to emphasize, given the current political climate, that may cause hesitation or mistrust toward government assistance. It’s crucial to communicate this clearly and compassionately, ensuring families understand they are eligible and encouraged to apply—without fear—so they can access the support they need.

Recommendations for Schools & Community Partners

From the SUN Bucks Outreach Toolkit (sunbucks.dc.gov):

1. Distribute multilingual flyers and factsheets (available in Spanish, Amharic, Korean, Mandarin, and Vietnamese).
2. Help families understand who qualifies automatically and who must apply.
3. Offer help at school events with the application, which takes ~15 minutes.
4. Remind families about supplementary programs such as youth meal sites.

If you’re a parent, educator, or advocate, help spread the word. SUN Bucks is more than a benefit—it’s a lifeline for families who may not otherwise be able to fill their grocery carts over the summer.

To learn more, check out sunbucks.dc.gov or reach out to The DC SUN Bucks Call Center at (202) 888-4834