Effective June 12, California Department of Social Services (CDSS) officials announced that SUN Bucks electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards have started arriving in the mail for families across the state. California’s Summer EBT program, known as SUN Bucks, provides families $40 per month for food in June, July, and August ($120 total) when children do not have access to school meals.
“We are proud that California was one of the first states in the nation to launch this new federal program last year, which is helping families in need across California,” CDSS Director Jennifer Troia said. “Last year, nearly $500 million in food purchases were made using SUN Bucks food benefits by families and caregivers in California.”
More than four million eligible children in California are automatically enrolled in the program. Households with automatically enrolled children will receive their cards by the end of July 2025. Eligible children who are not automatically enrolled in the program will need to apply with their school to get benefits.
Most children are automatically enrolled if they qualify for free or reduced-price meals at school or receive CalFresh, California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), and/or Medi-Cal benefits (certified at or below 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level). Children identified by their school as being in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or part of a migrant family are also automatically enrolled.
Children who are not automatically enrolled may apply by submitting a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application to their school by Sept. 2, 2025, to receive SUN Bucks benefits for summer 2025.
Due to the large number of automatically enrolled children, SUN Bucks EBT card issuances will occur in two stages:
Stage 1: Automatically enrolled children will receive their cards from early June through July 2025. Cards will be mailed in alphabetical order according to the child’s last name.
Stage 2: Children determined eligible after the start of Stage 1 will begin receiving their cards in September 2025 until mailings are complete.
Regardless of when a SUN Bucks EBT card is mailed or received, funds must be used within 122 days of the funds being added to the card, per federal guidelines. Any unused funds on the card will expire after 122 days. Expired benefits cannot be replaced. Visit the CDSS website for more information.
Participation in SUN Bucks will have no bearing on eligibility for CalFresh or any other public benefit program. Children who receive SUN Bucks may still participate in other summer meal options, such as SUN Meals.
In December 2022, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which created a new, permanent Summer EBT program for states to provide food benefits to families beginning in 2024.
In July 2023, California passed Assembly Bill 120, establishing CDSS as the lead implementing agency, in partnership with the California Department of Education, to maximize Summer EBT program participation for 2024. This program continues to be rolled-out in many parts of the country.
