SUN Bucks is a food program that will give families $120 per eligible child to buy groceries. Children who get SUN Bucks can still receive other food programs like CalFresh. SUN Bucks will not affect immigration status.
Can my child get SUN Bucks?
Now is the best time to make sure your child gets SUN Bucks in 2026!
Your child will automatically get SUN Bucks if they:
Got CalFresh or CalWORKS at any point during the 2025-26 school year.
Got Medi-Cal at any point during the 2025-26 school year & your family meets the income guidelines below.
Are experiencing homelessness, living in foster care, or are part of a migrant family.
Applied for your child to receive federal free or reduced-price meals & were approved for the 2025-26 school year.
Make sure your mailing address is updated with your county and school so your SUN Bucks are sent to the right place!
Even if your family isn’t enrolled in the programs above, your child may still be eligible!
They must be attending schools, including schools with Head Start programs, that are part of the National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Programs, and approved for free or reduced-price meals based on your family’s income.
They need to submit a Universal Benefits Application by August 31, 2026
You can reach out to your school for the Universal Benefits Application. Ask your school for information about where to get the form and how to submit it.
The income guidelines below are if you apply between July 1st and August 31st (If you apply prior to this, the income guidelines are slightly lower):
You will get SUN Bucks on an S-EBT card mailed to your home or designated mailing address.
You will get one new SUN Bucks card for each eligible child.
The S-EBT card will work like a debit card. You can use SUN Bucks to buy food (except prepared/hot foods) at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other stores that accept CalFresh EBT benefits.
SUN Bucks must be used within 122 days of the date when benefits are loaded. If you have CalFresh and SUN Bucks, spend your SUN Bucks benefits first!
