SUMMER MEAL PROGRAMS
Summer meal options
SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, is a program that helps families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer. Families will get a one-time $120 benefit per year for each eligible child to help buy groceries during the summer months. Nearly 600,000 Washington children received SUN Bucks over the summer of 2024.
Sign up for text alerts to be notified of SUN Bucks updates, benefit details, important reminders and answers to questions.
Who do I call for help?
For questions about the SUN Bucks program or your benefits, please call the SUN Bucks Contact Center at 833-543-3230 (TTY: 800-833-6348) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday (except observed holidays).
Who is eligible for SUN Bucks?
Most children will automatically qualify for SUN Bucks if at any point since July 2024 they were either:
- Enrolled at a school that offers the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program AND individually approved for free or reduced-price meals at school.
- Age 8-18 and a member of a household that receives benefits from the TANF or SNAP.
If your child is automatically enrolled, you will receive notification beginning in June 2025.
Do I need to apply for SUN Bucks?
If your child is not automatically enrolled, you can submit an online SUN Bucks application. Your child may still be eligible by application if they are both:
- Enrolled at an NSLP or SBP participating school.
- Living in a household with income that meets NSLP Income Eligibility Guidelines to qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
Online applications for SUN Bucks in 2025 are currently open through August 2025.
We encourage families to apply online for faster processing, but if you are unable to submit an application online, you may print, complete and mail a paper SUN Bucks application to:
DSHS Customer Service Center
P.O. Box 11669
Tacoma, WA 98411-6699
Paper applications are available in additional languages under Form 14-554.
How can I use my SUN Bucks?
SUN Bucks cards can be used at any authorized retailers nationwide where EBT is accepted, including at participating farmers markets, on uncooked: fruits, veggies, meat, dairy products, breads and cereals, snack foods, non-alcoholic beverages, seeds and plants that produce food.
If we suspect you have fraudulently received or used SUN Bucks we may open a fraud investigation. If we determine fraud has occurred, you may be responsible for repayment.
How can I check my balance?
You can check your balance anytime by calling the number on the back of your SUN Bucks card, visiting ebtEDGE.com or using the ebtEDGE app.
Do SUN Bucks benefits expire?
SUN Bucks benefits expire 122 days after the date they are issued. Benefits that are redeemed, expired, lost or stolen due to skimming, phishing, or other fraudulent activity won’t be replaced.
- By Phone: The hotline can be reached at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273), for Spanish, from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Call the Hunger Hotline.
- By Text: The Hunger Hotline also operates a texting service. Our number is 914-342-7744. Please note that these are automated texts and we do NOT reply or monitor texts. A list of keywords available is listed below! By sending a text you consent to receive messages from us where message and data rates may apply. You can opt out of receiving messages at any time by texting STOP. If you have any additional questions that were not answered over text, please call the hotline at 866-348-6479.
- Text SNAP to find your state's SNAP hotline number
- Text EBT to find your state's EBT hotline number
- Text Summer to find a summer meal site in your area
- Text Food to find resources in your area