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Pennsylvania
SUN Bucks Application

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I Certify (Promise)…

that all information on this application is true and that all income is reported.

I understand that this information is given in connection with the receipt of Federal funds, and that I am not already receiving SUN Bucks for Pennsylvania benefits in another state, territory, or ITO. I understand that officials may verify (check) the information. I am aware that if I purposely* give false information, my children may lose SUN Bucks for Pennsylvania benefits.

Enter the name of the adult household member or authorized representative completing the application.

*Deliberate misrepresentation of information may subject applicants to prosecution under applicable State and Federal criminal statutes.

Students

List the names of the students in your household who attend school in Pennsylvania and are applying for SUN Bucks for Pennsylvania benefits.

Programs

If anyone in the child(ren)'s household (including you) currently participates in any of the following programs, please select one or more of the checkboxes below. If not, press continue.

A household is defined as a group of people, related or unrelated, that usually live together and share income and expenses.

This includes grandparents or other extended family members that are living with you. It also includes people that are not currently living with you, but are only away on a temporary basis, like kids that are away at college. It includes people regardless of age or whether they earn or receive income.

If you need more detailed information, see the 'WHO SHOULD I INCLUDE IN MY HOUSEHOLD?' question in Help.

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Please answer the question

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Which Students?

Please select which student or students
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You have indicated that:

We just need to confirm that with program staff. If we are unable to do that, you will need to submit an application with income information to determine your benefit level.

Provide income information
Submit my application without income information
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Other Kids

Okay, it looks like we will need more information about your household and income in order to determine if you are eligible for benefits.

Let's talk about the other kids in the house, and then we'll move on to the adults. Other than , are there any other children in your household? Don't forget to include:

  • students that are in grade 12 or below and attend school in a state other than Pennsylvania, or children who are homeschooled
  • children that attend day care or pre-school, or are not of school age, including infants
  • anyone 18 years of age or younger living in your household that does not currently attend school
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The next questions are about your children's income.

Some common sources of income for children are:

  • a full-time or part-time job,
  • Social Security benefits, if the child is blind or disabled, or is the beneficiary of another person's Social Security benefits
  • money regularly received from extended family or friends outside the household, or
  • money from a pension, annuity, or trust

Do not include infrequent earnings, such as income from occasional baby-sitting or mowing lawns.

Income reported here should be the child’s current, gross income.

Gross income means all money earned or received before deductions, such as income taxes, social security taxes, and insurance premiums. You should not report net income, which is the amount of money received in a pay check. Net income is total (or gross) income, minus taxes and deductions, and is commonly referred to as 'take home pay.'

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Adults

Okay, now let's talk about the adults in your household.

Not including , what other adults live in the household?

Remember, for the purposes of applying for SUN Bucks for Pennsylvania benefits, a household is defined as a group of people, related or unrelated, that usually live together and share income and expenses. Don't forget about:

  • grandparents or other extended family members that are living with you
  • Also include people that are not currently living with you, but are only away on a temporary basis, like:
    • kids (over the age of 18) who are away at college,
    • members of your family that are in the military, and are deployed

Include adults regardless of age or whether they earn or receive income.

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The next questions are about the household Adult's income.

On questions about income, all amounts should be current, gross income.

Gross income means all money earned or received before deductions such as income taxes, social security taxes, and insurance premiums. You should not report net income, which is the amount of money received in a pay check.

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Summary

Contact Info

Please enter your contact information so that we can reach you to let you know if your household qualifies for Sun Bucks. A valid mailing address is critical as this is where the Sun Bucks card(s) will be sent. The mailing address should be the address that will be used by the household at the time the officials issue benefits. Officials will assist applicants who do not have a fixed mailing address so they may obtain Sun Bucks benefits.

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This is an optional question for information we collect about students who receive SUN Bucks for Pennsylvania benefits.

We are required to ask for information about the race and ethnicity of the students that are applying for the program.

This information is important and helps to make sure we are fully serving our community. Responding to this section is optional and does not affect your children's eligibility for SUN Bucks for Pennsylvania benefits.

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Legal Statements

Almost done! Please read and acknowledge the following legal statements.

Use Of Information Statement

The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act requires that we use information from this application to determine who qualifies for SUN Bucks for Pennsylvania. We can only approve complete forms. We may share your eligibility information with education, health, and nutrition programs to help them deliver program benefits to your household. Inspectors and law enforcement may also use your information to make sure that program rules are met. Some children qualify for SUN Bucks for Pennsylvania without an application. Please contact your County Assistance Office (CAO) to get SUN Bucks for Pennsylvania for a foster child, and children who are homeless, migrant, or runaway.

We will give you a written notice explaining your benefits. If we deny your application, we will give you a written explanation of why. You have until November 29, 2026, to ask for an appeal hearing on a denial. You have the right to ask for a Department of Human Services (DHS) hearing to appeal a decision if you believe it is unfair or incorrect, or if DHS fails to act on your application for benefits. You may file the appeal at the CAO. If you appeal, you may also request an agency conference before the hearing. At the hearing you may represent yourself, or someone else, such as a lawyer, friend or relative may represent you.

The contact information below is solely to file a complaint of discrimination.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. mail:

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

    1400 Independence Avenue, SW,

    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

  2. fax:

    (202) 690-7442

  3. or email:

    Program.Intake@usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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Here is a summary of the information you provided in the application. We encourage you to save or print this screen for your records. If everything looks good, click the 'Submit' button at the bottom of the page.

Students attending school in Pennsylvania

Other Children

  • None

Adults

Assistance program case numbers

  • None

Contact Information

I certify* that the information on this page is correct to the best of my knowledge.

Please check the certification before submitting data.

*I understand that this information is given in connection with the receipt of Federal funds, and that officials may verify (check) the information. I am aware that if I purposely give false information, my children may lose SUN Bucks for Pennsylvania benefits. Deliberate misrepresentation of information may subject applicants to prosecution under applicable State and Federal law.

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