Summer EBT or SUN Bucks are only available in about 34 states. Some tribes also offer 120-dollar checks to SNAP recipients even if their State does not offer SUN Bucks.
If you have school-aged kids and receive SNAP, WIC, TANF, or FDPIR, you may be enrolled automatically, so there is no need to apply. Needy families whose children go to school and take part in the SBP or NSLP (National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program) may also receive SUN Bucks.
Which States are not participating in SUN Bucks even if they have SNAP benefits?
Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, Utah, Texas, Alaska, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida are not taking part in the SUN Bucks Program for SNAP, WIC, TANF, or FDPIR recipients.
What is more, some States are not participating in the SUN Bucks initiative this summer, but they will join Summer EBT soon. Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, and the U.S. Virgin Islands plan to participate.
The Food and Nutrition Service recommends fueling your children’s potential with other alternative SUN Programs. For example, you could enroll your kids in the SUN Meals program. In fact, it is available in parks, schools, and other locations. If you live in a rural area, look for the SUN Meals To-Go.
The complete list of states and territories participating in the program:
- American Samoa, Arizona, and Arkansas are included, as well as California.
- Connecticut, Delaware, Guam, Illinois, and Indiana are also included.
- Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, and Missouri follow.
- Next are Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, and New Jersey.
- Then come New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and North Dakota.
- The North Mariana Islands, Ohio, and certain Oklahoma tribes are included.
- Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and the U.S. Virgin Islands follow.
- Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin complete the list.
Eligibility and enrolment if my State plans to join SUN Bucks for SNAP recipients
The Food and Nutrition Service claims that some States plan to participate in the SUN Bucks program. If you are interested in receiving 120 dollars per eligible child, you can keep updated.
All you have to do is visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sunbucks. Then, scroll down and select your State in the US map. It will show the phone number, if available to get information about eligibility and enrolment.
For example, if you live in the State of Missouri, you can call 855-373-4636. In this way, you can find more details about the way you could apply for SUN Bucks while on SNAP or if you are automatically enrolled.
How can needy families whose children are part of the SBP or NSLP receive SUN Bucks?
Needy families with kids in SBP or NSLP can get SUN Bucks in three ways. They can get them by: automatic enrollment through benefits like SNAP or TANF, qualifying through school meal programs, or applying directly. This starts on July 1, 2024. To apply, they must meet income limits and submit by August 31, 2024.
Automatic enrollment happens if benefits like SNAP are already received. School meal programs can also enroll kids if household income qualifies. Direct applications start July 1, 2024, with income limits and requirements applying. Once enrolled, $120 per child is issued at the household level on existing EBT cards or new SUN Bucks cards from late August to October 2024.
What are some alternative SUN Programs recommended by the Food and Nutrition Service?
Rural communities offer SUN Meals To-Go. They give kids meals outside group settings for flexibility. States approve sites for non-congregate meal service, balancing community needs with program integrity. The USDA provides guidance on serving rural non-congregate meals. This includes webinars and Q&A documents. The Summer Meals Site Finder lists pick-up spots for SUN Meals To-Go and eat-on-site Summer Meals. But, it does not list delivery options.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) often takes the spotlight when discussing food assistance in the United States. However, there are several alternative SUN (Supplemental and Nutritional) programs recommended by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) designed to address various nutritional needs and ensure food security for different population segments. This comprehensive guide delves into these alternative programs, shedding light on their objectives, benefits, and how they contribute to the nation’s overall nutritional health.
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) operates under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and oversees numerous programs aimed at combating hunger and improving nutrition. While SNAP is widely known, other programs play crucial roles in supporting diverse groups, including children, seniors, and low-income families. Understanding these alternative SUN programs can provide valuable insights into the broader landscape of food assistance in the U.S.
- The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is one of the most significant SUN programs. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost, or free lunches to millions of children each school day. Administered at the federal level by the FNS, the NSLP ensures that children receive the essential nutrients needed for their growth and development.
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) ;The WIC program targets pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children who are at nutritional risk. WIC provides supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition education, and referrals to health and social services.
- The Child and Adult Care Food Program CACFP offers nutritious meals and snacks to children and adults in day care settings. This program extends its benefits to children in child care centers, family day care homes, and afterschool programs, as well as to adults in adult day care centers.
- The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) The SFSP aims to fill the nutritional gap during summer months when school is out. It provides free, healthy meals to children and teens in low-income areas, ensuring they have access to nutritious food even when school is not in session.
- The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) aims to introduce elementary school children to a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Schools participating in this program offer free fresh produce to students, encouraging healthier snack choices and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption.
- The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides low-income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs. This initiative supports both seniors and local farmers.
- The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) works to improve the health of low-income elderly individuals by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods. Participants receive monthly food packages that include a variety of nutrient-rich foods.
- The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance. Food banks, pantries, and soup kitchens distribute TEFAP foods to those in need.
- The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) provides monthly food packages to low-income households living on Indian reservations and to Native American families residing in designated areas. The program aims to enhance food security and improve dietary quality among Native American populations.
Internal and External Links for Further Reading
