Children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through a school meal application or an Alternative Income Form, CalFresh, CalWORKs or Medi-Cal, are automatically enrolled in the California Department of Social Services’ SUN Bucks program this summer. Photo courtesy of Sacramento County

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Summer break is a season of sunshine and fun but for many Sacramento County families, it also brings a food access challenge.

That’s why California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is bringing back SUN Bucks, also called Summer-EBT, this summer. Eligible families receive $120 per eligible child to help fill the meal gap when schools are closed.

Children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through a school meal application or an Alternative Income Form, CalFresh, CalWORKs or Medi-Cal, are automatically enrolled. You don't need to do anything to sign up. 

SUN Bucks provides $40 per month for food in June, July and August ($120 total).

Children will automatically get SUN Bucks if they are 6 to 18 years old and get CalFresh, CalWORKs or Medi-Cal (below 185% Federal Poverty Level).

Anyone from babies to 22 years old, attending schools that are part of National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Programs and are approved for free or reduced-price meals, will also automatically receive SUN Bucks.

Check with your child's school to make sure your free or reduced-price meal application or Alternative Income Form is on file.

Children who are attending Head Start, experiencing homelessness, living in foster care or part of a migrant family are also automatically eligible.

If your family is eligible, a SUN Bucks S-EBT card will be mailed to your home. You do not need to fill out an application. You will get one new SUN Bucks card for each eligible child. You can use SUN Bucks just like a debit card to buy food such as fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains and dairy at grocery stores, farmers’ markets and other places that accept CalFresh EBT benefits.

The state is issuing SUN Bucks cards by mail in stages by last name. If your child has not received a SUN Bucks card in the mail or you have questions about how to obtain a card, visit the California Department of Social Services SUN Bucks website at cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks or call 1-800-560-0976 for more information.​

To learn more about SUN Bucks, other food resources and whether your child is eligible, visit the Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance website​ at ha.saccounty.gov.