Food Help > Free Summer Food

SUN Bucks

Get grocery help this summer with SUN Bucks! Each summer, eligible families will get a boost in their grocery budget when school is out of session.

What are SUN Bucks?


SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, is a federal program that supports families who lose access to free school meals over the summer months. Families will receive an allotment of $120 for each eligible child to help cover the cost of groceries when school is out of session. Similar to Basic Food (SNAP), SUN Bucks can be used to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other locations.

SUN Bucks works in tandem with the Free Summer Meals program to support families when school meals are unavailable.

Is my child eligible?


Eligibility for SUN Bucks is based primarily on participation in public assistance programs like SNAP, TANF, or free school meals. Families can also qualify based on household income. There is no citizenship requirement.

There are multiple ways to qualify for SUN Bucks. Most eligible families will be automatically enrolled and do not need to submit a SUN Bucks application.

Use our screening tool below to learn whether you need to submit a SUN Bucks application.

Applying for SUN Bucks


Unsure about your child’s eligibility?

While most eligible children are automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks, some will need to submit an application. Use our screening tool above to learn more. If you are not sure about your child’s eligibility, we encourage you to apply!

This can be done online, or by mailing a paper application to:

DSHS Customer Service
PO Box 11699
Tacoma, WA 98411

SUN Bucks Benefits


Once a child is verified as eligible, their SUN Bucks card will be loaded with the $120 benefit. The date at which a child’s benefits become available will vary, depending on how the child is identified as eligible.

In 2026, all enrolled children will receive a new SUN Bucks card in the mail. DSHS plans to reuse these new cards each summer, so be sure to store it somewhere safe! To replace lost or discarded cards, call the SUN Bucks Contact Center at 833-543-3230.

SUN Bucks expire 4 months after the date of issuance. Once families receive their benefits, they have 122 days to spend down the funds before they will be invalid. Therefore, families should prioritize spending SUN Bucks before other funds like Basic Food (SNAP/EBT).

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions?

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

Use SUN Bucks before they expire!

Benefits expire 122 days after they are loaded onto your SUN Bucks card, so be sure to use them before then. For many families, this means benefits expire in October or November. If you are unsure of your benefits expiration date, call the SUN Bucks Contact Center at 833-543-3230.

Sign Up for SUN Bucks Text Alerts!

By signing up for SUN Bucks texts, you’ll receive specific information on your child’s eligibility, updates on your benefits, and support resources when questions arise.