Genuine
SUN Bucks is California’s version of the federal Summer EBT program. It provides eligible children with $120 in grocery benefits—$40 per month for June, July, and August—to bridge the nutritious food gap when school meals are unavailable.
Who Qualifies?
Automatically enrolled children include those who:
- Are in K–12 and receive free/reduced-price meals through a school meal or Universal Benefits Application
- Participate in CalFresh, Medi‑Cal (≤185% FPL), or CalWORKs
- Are in foster care, homeless, attending Head Start, or classified as runaway.
Some children may need to apply by submitting a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application by the applicable school deadline.
SUN Bucks participation does not affect immigration status.
Benefit Breakdown
- Each eligible child receives $120 total, split into $40 per month over June, July, and August.
- Funds must be used within 122 days of being loaded; unused funds cannot be replaced after expiration.
- Card use is limited to groceries—fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy, cereals, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages; hot foods, pet food, and household items aren’t allowed.
When and How Benefits Arrive
- SUN Bucks EBT cards began arriving in early June 2025, mailed alphabetically by last name through to July (Stage 1).
- Stage 2 cards, for those newly enrolled after Stage 1, will come via mail starting in September.
- Cards are loaded with the full $120 regardless of receipt date.
Why It Matters
- 4+ million California children are expected to receive SUN Bucks in summer 2025.
- In 2024 alone, the program supported over 4.3 million kids and facilitated nearly $500 million in grocery purchases.
- Designed not only to fight childhood hunger but also to support local economies where benefits are spent.
Key Takeaways
- Eligibility: Automatic for most children in meal programs, CalFresh, Medi‑Cal, CalWORKs, or other qualifying categories.
- Benefit: $120 per child across summer, loaded once, with a 122-day usage window.
- Delivery: Cards mailed starting early June 2025; no need to reload.
- Impact: Boosts food security and supports grocery retailers statewide.
How Families Should Prepare
- No action needed for automatically eligible children.
- Complete a school meal or Universal Benefits application before the school or district deadline if your child isn’t automatically enrolled.
- Ensure mailing address is current through school records or Medi‑Cal/CalFresh portals to ensure timely delivery.
Governor’s Statement
California Governor Newsom emphasized in April 2025 that “more than 4 million California children will automatically receive SUN Bucks food benefits via EBT card starting in June… no kid in California go hungry”
FAQs
Q1. What if my child doesn’t receive a card by October?
If eligible but no card arrives by November 30, 2025, call the SUN Bucks helpline at 877‑328‑9677.
Q2. Can I use SUN Bucks alongside CalFresh or Summer meal programs?
Yes—benefits are additive and don’t impact other programs .
Q3. Does using SUN Bucks affect immigration status?
No. SUN Bucks are excluded from public charge considerations.
Q4. What if I get multiple cards for the same child?
Destroy duplicates and call 877‑328‑9677 to avoid dual-participation penalties .
Q5. When do the funds expire?
122 days after loading (~4 months)—unused funds cannot be recovered
By providing $120 per child at the peak of sum`mer, SUN Bucks ensures that millions of California children continue to receive nutritious meals even when school is out—promoting health, learning, and community well-being.