Over the summer months, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a new initiative called SUN Bucks. This initiative is designed to help families who have children of school going age. Many families face additional hardship financially during the school holidays when children are no longer eligible to receive free or subsidized school meals. SUN Bucks helps ensure children have access to nutrition-rich food during this time, providing additional financial support from the government.
Through this initiative, children will be able to get the necessary nutrition even during school holidays, so that their health and development is not affected. This assistance is important for the families of the children, as it helps them meet their food expenses and at the same time, meet the correct nutritional needs of the children.
Thus, SUN Bucks is providing essential support to children and their families even during school holidays, so that no child goes hungry and everyone has access to nutritious food.
$120 Food Stamps Payment
SUN Bucks provides a one-time payment of $120 per child to eligible families. This payment helps defray the cost of essential items during summer break. There are many families who rely on school lunch programs throughout the school year, and when summer vacations arrive it becomes a challenge to meet the nutritional needs of their children.
SUN Bucks helps fill this gap and provides food assistance during the summer holidays. This financial assistance plays an important role in ensuring the required nutrition for children. The program aims to ensure that it covers all families who are currently receiving government assistance or whose children are participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP).
Through this initiative, SUN Bucks comes as a helpful solution for families who depend on government support during school hours, and helps provide proper nutrition to children during summer vacations. This provides an opportunity to keep them healthy and nourished even during holidays.
Eligibility Criteria
There are two major factors when determining eligibility for Southwest University Bucks: participation in various aid programs and the income level eligible for school meal benefits.
| Eligible Groups | Details |
|---|---|
| SNAP Recipients | Families currently receiving SNAP benefits will automatically qualify. |
| WIC, TANF, and FDPIR Beneficiaries | Participants in WIC, TANF, or FDPIR programs may also be eligible. |
| School Meal Program Participants | Children receiving free or reduced-price meals under NSLP or SBP qualify. |
The aim is to ensure that families who already receive government assistance or are part of school lunch programs can continue to receive nutritional support during the summer holidays. In this way, SUN Bucks proves to be an important support for these families.
SUN Bucks Payment
The following is an outline of the most important aspects of the benefits offered by SUN Bucks:
| Benefit Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Payment Amount | $120 per eligible child. |
| Funds Usage | Added to existing SNAP EBT cards or issued via a new EBT card. |
| Expiration | Must be used within 122 days; benefits do not roll over. |
| Compatibility | Can be used alongside other summer meal programs like SUN Meals. |
Application Process
There are no complicated steps involved in the application process for SUN Bucks.
- Automatic Enrollment: Families that are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Family and Child Welfare Information and Referral (FDPIR), or those who have children who are getting free or reduced-price school meals are automatically included in the program.
- Manual Application: Families that are not automatically enrolled but who meet the eligibility requirements can submit an application online through the website of the USDA. It is possible to obtain comprehensive income guidelines as well as application instructions from that location.
It is strongly recommended that families keep their EBT cards safe and make use of the monies as soon as possible before they expire.
Supporting Programs and Resources
Summer nutrition programs in North Carolina, which provide free meals at community locations and schools, also include SUN Bucks. If families need more support, they can get help in the following ways:
- For information about food locations, text FOOD to 304-304.
- Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY for assistance.
- For more information about this initiative, visit summermeals4nckids.org.
Families are also advised to pay attention to updates on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and USDA social media accounts.
USDA’s SUN Bucks program provides critical financial assistance to families with school-age children, ensuring access to good and nutritious food during the summer holidays. To take advantage of this beneficial initiative, eligible families should confirm their registration status or apply as soon as possible.
SUN Bucks and other summer nutrition programs are critical to promoting children’s well-being over the summer and reducing food insecurity during school breaks. These programs not only provide financial help to the families, but also help in maintaining better nutritional status of the children.
FAQ’s
What is the SUN Bucks program?
It’s a USDA program that provides $120 per child to cover the cost of summer meals.
Who qualifies for the SUN Bucks?
SNAP recipients, WIC, TANF, FDPIR families, and school meal participants.
How are SUN Bucks distributed?
Cash is added to a SNAP EBT card or transferred to another card.
When does the SUN Bucks program start?
Payments began June 14 and are biweekly through September.