Guide to Summer EBT 2025

Summer EBT, also called SUN Bucks, is a special program that provides $120 in food benefits to eligible children each summer in most states.

Its purpose is to reduce child hunger during the summer months, when school-aged kids lose access to free or reduced-price meals. The SUN Bucks program started in 2024 and is returning for summer 2025.

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Summer EBT 2025 participating states, territories, and tribes#summer-ebt-2025-participating-states-territories-and-tribes

A: Alabama, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas

C: California, Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Chocktaw Nation of Oklahoma, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Connecticut

D-H: Delaware, District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii

I-L: Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana

M: Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Muscogee Creek Nation

N: Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota

O-P: Ohio, Oregon, Otoe-Missouria Tribe, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico

R-Z: Rhode Island, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia

Which states aren't participating in Summer EBT 2025?#which-states-arent-participating-in-summer-ebt-2025

Summer EBT 2025 will not be available in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming.

These states may choose to participate in the future, but for now, residents should not expect a Summer EBT deposit for 2025.

Who is eligible for Summer EBT/SUN Bucks?#who-is-eligible-for-summer-ebt-sun-bucks

Children are considered automatically eligible if they live in a household that receives SNAP (also called food stamps). Children are also automatically eligible in most states if their household receives:

• TANF
• FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations)
• Medicaid (about 39 states)

Families of children who are not automatically eligible can still submit an application for Summer EBT.

To be approved, their household must be under 185% of the federal poverty limit (for example, a household of three must make less than $47,767 per year to be eligible).

If you're still not sure if you're eligible for Summer EBT 2025, use this eligibility checker to find out and see what the next steps are.

Who needs to apply for Summer EBT?#who-needs-to-apply-for-summer-ebt

Most children who qualify will be automatically approved for Summer EBT and do not need to apply. The state will notify them of their eligibility, and then send them benefits. This automatic group includes children who either:

• Are school-aged and receive SNAP, TANF or FDPIR benefits (or Medicaid in some cases)
• Attend a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program (NSLP/SBP) and are approved for Free or Reduced-Price meals
• Are in foster care, in Head Start, experiencing homelessness, or part of a migrant family

If you're not sure if you'll get Summer EBT automatically or need to apply, use this eligibility checker to find out.

Families who are not automatically approved for Summer EBT but meet the income requirements will need to fill out an application.

Do kids who are homeschooled or go to online school get Summer EBT?#do-kids-who-are-homeschooled-or-go-to-online-school-get-summer-ebt

It depends—children not enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) may still qualify if they are part of other programs like SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or Medicaid in some states.

How much will I get for Summer EBT 2025?#how-much-will-i-get-for-summer-ebt-2025

Families will receive a total of $120 per eligible child for the summer period ($40 per month).

• 1 child: $120
• 2 children: $240
• 3 children: $360
• More than 3 children: $120 for each additional child

These benefits can be spent at grocery stores and other retailers that accept EBT, just like SNAP benefits.

When will I get my Summer EBT card or deposit?#when-will-i-get-my-summer-ebt-card-or-deposit

The timeline depends on your state, but Summer EBT benefits will generally be available in late May or early June 2025.

If your state's deposit timeline is NOT listed below, download the Propel App to stay up to date on Summer EBT news for 2025.

Summer EBT 2025 deposit dates by state#summer-ebt-2025-deposit-dates-by-state

If you're in a state that is mailing out new cards, they may take a few weeks to arrive due to the large number being printed.

How are Summer EBT/SUN Bucks sent out?#how-are-summer-ebt-sun-bucks-sent-out

Depending on your state, your Summer EBT or SUN Bucks will either be issued:

1. Straight to your your existing SNAP EBT card
2. Onto last year’s Summer EBT card
3. Onto a new Summer EBT card that will be mailed to you

If your state is sending a new card for 2025, it should arrive in an envelope in the mail.

Whose name will on the Summer EBT card?#whose-name-will-on-the-summer-ebt-card

This also varies by state but if you get a separate Summer EBT card, it will either be issued to the adult who is the head of the household or to the eligible child.

Anyone who is part of the household can use the card, so if you’re the head of household and the Summer EBT card is issued in your name, your partner can use it at the grocery store. The same goes for cards issued to your kids, they don’t have to be present when you use the money.

How can I check my Summer EBT card balance?#how-can-i-check-my-summer-ebt-card-balance

The Propel App makes it easy to check your Summer EBT balance. You can also add multiple cards to your account, which is helpful for families with more than one child.

You can also check your Summer EBT balance by calling the number on the back of the card.

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When do Summer EBT deposits expire?#when-do-summer-ebt-deposits-expire

Summer EBT/SUN Bucks will expire 122 days after the date they are issued to the household's EBT or SUN Bucks card.

If your Summer EBT benefits are on your regular EBT card along with your SNAP benefits, your Summer EBT benefits will automatically be used first when you swipe your card.

What can I buy with Summer EBT?#what-can-i-buy-with-summer-ebt

Summer EBT follows the same rules as regular SNAP benefits. You can use your Summer EBT on most types of groceries, including:

• Fruits and vegetables, either fresh, frozen or canned
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products, like milk, cheese, and yogurt
• Bread and cereals
• Snack foods, like chips, popcorn, and crackers
• Canned or dried beans
• Spreads like peanut butter, jam, or jelly
• Non-alcoholic beverages like juice, water, and energy drinks

You can't use Summer EBT benefits to buy anything that's ineligible, which includes all non-food items—like paper towels, toilet paper, diapers, and wipes.

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Does getting Summer EBT/SUN Bucks affect my food stamps?#does-getting-summer-ebt-sun-bucks-affect-my-food-stamps

No, Summer EBT or SUN Bucks will not impact any other food benefits you receive. It's extra help on top of any other benefits you or your children might be getting.

Do I have to be a US citizen to get Summer EBT? Does it affect my immigration status?#do-i-have-to-be-a-us-citizen-to-get-summer-ebt-does-it-affect-my-immigration-status

No, you do not need to be a citizen for your kids to get Summer EBT, and it will NOT affect your immigration status.

Applying for or receiving Summer EBT also does NOT affect the immigration status of your children or family.

What about P-EBT?#what-about-p-ebt

Summer EBT is similar to the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program that ended in 2023—but it's not exactly the same. Some children who automatically received P-EBT will need to submit an application for Summer EBT.

The most common example of this is children who attend a "community eligibility" school who are not automatically eligible because their household is not receiving SNAP.

Where can I get updates about Summer EBT?#where-can-i-get-updates-about-summer-ebt

Download the Propel app to stay on top of your benefits, check your EBT balance, and get information about any other benefits you might be eligible for.

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