SUN Bucks

No - but you will be getting a new card in 2026.

DSHS will be issuing new SUN Bucks cards in 2026 and is planning to reuse these cards for future years - so you should store your card somewhere safe and hang on to it from summer to summer. Old SUN Bucks cards (with a black and white SUN Bucks logo) can be discarded.

If you lose a SUN Bucks card, you can request a new one by calling the SUN Bucks Call Center at 833-543-3230 (TTY: 1-800-833-6348) between 8am and 5pm, Monday-Friday.

Yes.

1. If your child is enrolled in a school that operates the National School Lunch Program (NSLP): Children of any age can be eligible if they also meet income requirements. This includes students at public pre-schools, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and programs for students with disabilities.

2. If your child does not attend a school that operate NSLP: To be eligible, children must be aged 8 through 17, and participate in SNAP or TANF. This includes children who “age in” or “age out” during the year. For example, eligible children had to be between the ages of 8 and 18 at some point between July 1, 2025 through August 31st, 2026.

No!

There is no citizenship requirement for this program, and SUN Bucks is not included in “public charge” tests. Receiving SUN Bucks will not affect your family’s ability to remain in the United States, get a Green Card, or become U.S. Citizens.

Yes.

Households without a permanent address can receive SUN Bucks.

If you have your child’s SUN Bucks card from last year, benefits will be automatically loaded onto it when your child is approved for benefits.

If you are new to SUN Bucks or you lost the card, ask your child’s school about your options. You may be able to use the school or district office address, and pick the card up there.

Children who are enrolled in a qualifying public assistance program (SNAP or TANF) do not need to meet any additional income requirements.

Children who are individually approved to receive free and reduced price school meals do not need to meet any additional income requirements.

For all other children, the maximum household income for SUN Bucks is 185% of the Federal Poverty Line.

Note: these income limits will increase on July 1, 2026. Eligibility is determined by income limits on the date of application.

Maybe. Use our screening tool to learn whether you will need to apply.

If your child participates in SNAP or TANF, they will be automatically enrolled. You do not need to apply for SUN Bucks.

If your child is individually approved to receive free or reduced price meals at school, they will be automatically enrolled. You do not need to apply for SUN Bucks.

If your child was not automatically enrolled, but you believe they are eligible, you will need to submit a SUN Bucks application.

Reminder: SUN Bucks eligibility is determined individually by child. If your household has multiple children with different circumstances, you may need to submit an application for one child, but not another.

The SUN Bucks application will not ask for any documentation or verification of eligibility. It will include a self-attestation statement and must be signed by an adult member of the household. 3% of households receiving SUN Bucks will be randomly selected for auditing by DSHS. Selected households will need to provide proof of qualifying income.

Eligibility is determined for each child. Each child needs to meet the eligibility requirements individually in order to receive SUN Bucks.

This means that some children in your family might be eligible while others are not, especially for children who attend different schools. Use the eligibility screening tool to check the eligibility status for each child individually.

Maybe.

Any child aged 8 through 17 who is enrolled in SNAP or TANF is eligible for SUN Bucks, regardless of where they attend school.

For all other children, they must be enrolled in a school that operates the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) in order to qualify.

You can use this screening tool to learn more about your child’s eligibility.

You can call the SUN Bucks Contact Center year-round at 833-543-3230 (TTY: 1-800-833-6348) between 8am and 5pm, Monday-Friday.

You will receive an approval letter in the mail about 7-10 business days before your SUN Bucks card arrives. This letter will also be printed with the issuance date for the SUN Bucks benefits. Benefits expire 122 days after the issuance date.

You can also call the SUN Bucks Contact Center at 833-543-3230 (TTY: 1-800-833-6348) between 8am and 5pm, Monday-Friday for more information.

Yes!

You can use SUN Bucks and Basic Food (SNAP) together when shopping for food. Use your SUN Bucks benefits first because these expire sooner than Basic Food dollars.

Also, each card qualifies for Fruit and Vegetable Incentives programs and you can use both Basic Food and SUN Bucks benefits for Market Match.

Yes!

SUN Bucks are eligible for Market Match, which can double your SUN Bucks dollars and help you buy more delicious summer produce when you shop at many farmers markets across the state.