Before You Begin
There are a few things you should know.
SUN Bucks is the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services' (DHS) permanent Summer EBT program. SUN Bucks provides household with a single $120 payment per eligible child that can be used to buy groceries at approved SNAP retailers, such as grocery stores, farmer’s markets, and convenience stores. Most eligible children are automatically eligible and will receive SUN Bucks without needing to complete an application.
Automatic eligibility with no need to apply?
Most eligible children are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks. Find out now if your child is automatically eligible with no need to apply. Click the button below to visit www.dhs.pa.gov/sunbucks and complete the Eligibility Navigator before proceeding with this application.
You DO NOT NEED to complete an application if...
- The household received SNAP or TANF between July 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026 and the child is enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program; OR
- The household received SNAP or TANF between July 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026 and the child is not enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program but was between ages 6-18 between July 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026; OR
- The child received Medicaid with qualifying income for the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program between July 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026 and the child is enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program; OR
- The child received Medicaid with qualifying income for the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program between July 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026 and the child is not enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program but is between ages 6-18 between July 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026; OR
- The child is in Head Start, is homeless, in foster care, or is a runaway and the child is enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program; OR
- The child applied for and was determined eligible for free or reduced-priced meals through the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program.
Need to apply?
You may need to apply for SUN Bucks if:
Your child attends a National School Lunch or Breakfast Program school and does not qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on direct certification (SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid with qualifying income for NSLP), categorical eligibility (homeless, foster child, migrant, runaway, or Head Start), or a household application approved for free/reduced school meals during the 2025-2026 school year.
Things you'll need to apply
We compiled a list of basic information you will need to complete the application.
- School name and/or school district for each student in your household.
- If household members receive SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, you will need the county and case record number (Ex: 01/0123456).
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If household members DO NOT receive SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, you will need to report your total household income, including but not limited to:
- Earned income like salary, wages, tips, and self-employment.
- Unearned income like Social Security, Unemployment Compensation, child support, or retirement benefits.
- You may also need to reference other financial documents for additional sources of income.
Still not sure if you have everything you need? Don’t worry! The income section of the application contains detailed instructions and explanations about the sources of income you must include, and you can gather additional information then. It is important to include all sources of income. If you cannot complete the application with the information you have available, you can restart an application at any time, but to be considered for 2026 SUN Bucks, your applications must be submitted on or before August 31, 2026.
Important Info
Your US citizenship or immigration status does not affect your eligibility for SUN Bucks benefits. The benefits received through the SUN Bucks program are not subject to public charge consideration. You will not be deported, denied entry to the country, or denied permanent status because you applied for or receive SUN Bucks benefits. We encourage you to apply for this program to determine your eligibility.
If you have questions at any point during the application, click the Help button to get help with the current section.
You will receive a confirmation number at the end to confirm your application was submitted successfully. Then, your application will be processed by Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS), and you will receive an eligibility notice in the mail.