Providers Guide to Summer EBT 2024

Updated 5/13/24

What is Summer EBT?

Summer EBT, also known as SUN Bucks, will provide a total of $120 in food benefits to eligible children each summer.

Its purpose is to reduce child hunger during the summer months, when students lose access to free or reduced-price meals.

It is similar to the previous Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program — which ended in 2023 — but has a few changes.

Providers will keep this page up-to-date as we get more information.

Summer EBT 2024 participating states, territories, and tribes:

A: American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas

C: California, Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Connecticut

D-H: Delaware, District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii

I-L: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana

M: Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana

N: Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota

O-P: Ohio, Oregon, Osage Nation, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico

R-Z: Rhode Island, Tennessee

States not participating in Summer EBT 2024:

Summer EBT will not be available in the following states:

Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Oklahoma, Mississippi, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.

These states may choose to participate in future years.

What about P-EBT (Pandemic EBT) in 2024?

Summer EBT is similar to the previous P-EBT program that ended in 2023 — but is not exactly the same.

Some children who automatically received P-EBT will need to submit an application for Summer EBT.

(The most common example of this is kids attending a "community eligibility" school who are not automatically eligible because their household receiving a benefit like SNAP. If you think you might be eligible, see below, and consider submitting an application.)

Who is eligible for Summer EBT / SUN Bucks?

Children are considered automatically eligible if their household receives SNAP (food stamps).

Children are also automatically eligible in most states if their household receives:
- TANF
- FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations)
- Medicaid (about 39 states)

For children not automatically found eligible — those who have to submit an application — their household must be under 185% of the federal poverty limit.

(For example, a household of 3 must make less than $47,767 per year to be eligible.)

Who needs to apply?

Most children will be automatically approved for Summer EBT and do not need to apply. The state will notify them of their eligibility, and send them benefits. This automatic group includes children who either:

• Are school-aged and receive SNAP, TANF or FDPIR benefits (or Medicaid in some cases)
• Attend a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program (NSLP/SBP) and are approved for Free or Reduced-Price meals
• Are in foster care, in Head Start, experiencing homelessness, or part of a migrant family

If a family is NOT automatically approved for Summer EBT and believes their children are income-eligible for the benefit, they will need to fill out a simple application form to get Summer EBT.

(More info on applying coming soon)

What about kids who are in homeschool or go to online school?

Children not enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) may still qualify if they are part of other programs like SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or Medicaid in some states.

How much will I receive?

Families will receive a total of $120 per eligible child for the summer period ($40 per month).

- 1 child: $120
- 2 children: $240
- 3 children: $360
- 3+ children: $120 for each additional child

These benefits can be used at grocery stores and other EBT-accepting retailers, similar to how SNAP benefits are used.

When will I get the Summer EBT deposit?

The timeline depends on your state. Most states are still working out their deposit schedule.

We are tracking states' Summer EBT plans, and if you are a Providers App user, we will notify you when we know more about the specific deposit timeline.

(If you don't currently use Providers, you can download the app here — it's 100% free and lets you track your EBT balance [including Summer EBT] and get information about related benefits and help available.)

How are SUN Bucks issued?

Depending on your state, SUN Bucks will either be issued:

1. To your existing SNAP EBT card

or

2. Onto a new EBT card that will be mailed to you

The new card may be issued in your child’s name, or the parent's/guardian’s name.

When does this benefit expire?

SUN Bucks will expire 122 days after the date they are issued to the household's EBT or SUN Bucks card.

Do Summer EBT / SUN Bucks affect my food stamps?

No, SUN Bucks will not impact other food benefits.

It's extra help on top of any other benefits you or your children might be getting.

Where can I get updates?

We will share more information here as it becomes available!

For now, download the Providers app to stay on top of your benefits, check your EBT balance, and get information like this on other benefits you might be eligible for.

Share this page with family and friends with this link:

Sources

- FRAC, A Guide to Summer EBT Eligibility: https://frac.org/wp-content/uploads/Summer-EBT-Eligibility-Guide-October-2023.pdf

- USDA, "Summer EBT Eligibility & Certification Flowcharts and Program Timeline": https://www.fns.usda.gov/sebt/implementing-agency/eligibility-certification-timeline

- USDA, "Summer EBT Questions and Answers": https://www.fns.usda.gov/sebt/questions-answers