SUN Bucks is a new 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?
All SUN Bucks cards for 2024 have been delivered. Now is the best time to make sure your child gets SUN Bucks in 2025!
Your child will automatically get SUN Bucks if:
Your family got CalFresh, CalWORKS, or in most cases, Medi-Cal, during the 2024-25 school year.
Not all children on Medi-Cal are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks. If you get Medi-Cal but your family has income above 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) you will have to apply. Often, this may include children who get Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) or the Adoption Assistance Program.
They are experiencing homelessness, living in foster care, or are part of a migrant family.
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 an application (stay tuned for more information).
Your child may be eligible if your family’s gross income is under… (For 2024-25 school year)
$39,127.50 for a family of 2
$49,302.50 for a family of 3
$59,477.50 for a family of 4
$69,652.50 for a family of 5
How does SUN Bucks work?
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 S-EBT benefits are loaded onto the card. If you have CalFresh and SUN Bucks, spend your SUN Bucks benefits first!
