How to apply for Summer EBT (SUN Bucks)
Summer EBT, also called SUN Bucks, sends out $120 in food benefits per eligible child to qualifying families.
The goal of Summer EBT is to reduce child hunger during the summer months, when kids lose access to free or reduced-price meals. It is similar to the previous Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program—which ended in 2023—but has a few changes.
Get the latest on Summer EBT and track your balance with Propel
Do I need to apply for Summer EBT 2025?#do-i-need-to-apply-for-summer-ebt-2025
Probably not—most kids who qualify will be automatically approved for Summer EBT and do not need to apply.
The state will notify your family and then send out 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 need to apply or will get Summer EBT automatically, use this eligibility checker to find out.
Any families who are not automatically approved for Summer EBT and meet the income requirements will need to apply.
How to apply for Summer EBT 2025#how-to-apply-for-summer-ebt-2025
Alabama
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Complete the online registration form if your child isn't automatically enrolled
- Deadline: August 15
Arizona
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Complete the screener online and fill out the application if prompted
- Deadline: August 5
Arkansas
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Apply online and follow the instructions
- Deadline: August 25
California
- Application link: Contact your child's school for an application.
- Instructions: Submit an application through the school.
- Deadline: September 1
Colorado
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Apply online through the PEAK website
- Deadline: September 3
Connecticut
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Follow the online application process
- Deadline: Not specified
District of Columbia
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Follow the online application process, applications open June 3
- Deadline: August 25
Delaware
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Apply online or complete a paper application and return it to the Division of Social Services
- Deadline: Not specified
Hawaii
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Follow the online application process.
- Deadline: August 3
Illinois
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Visit abe.illinois.gov and click on the Summer EBT option.
- Deadline: August 31
Kansas
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Apply through the DCF's online self-service portal
- Deadline: August 29
Kentucky
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Follow the online application process.
- Deadline: August 15
Louisiana
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Apply online and follow the instructions
- Deadline: Not specified
Maine
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Apply online through MyMainConnection.gov and follow the instructions
- Deadline: August 15
Maryland
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Follow the online application process
- Deadline: September 1
Massachusetts
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Follow the online application process
- Deadline: September 7
Michigan
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Apply online through the SOMPortal - MI Bridges
- Deadline: August 31
Minnesota
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Apply online with your EDIAM log-in
- Deadline: August 31
Missouri
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Apply online and follow the instructions
- Deadline: Not specified
Montana
- Application link: Not available yet
- Instructions: Contact the hotline at (406) 444-0044 or email SUNBucks@mt.gov with any questions
- Deadline: Not specified
Nebraska
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Follow the online application process
- Deadline: August 20
Nevada
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Follow the online application process
- Deadline: August 10
New Hampshire
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Call (603) 271-7373 with any questions about eligibility
- Deadline: Not specified
New Jersey
- Application link: Applications are available online through your child’s school district website
- Instructions: Apply online through your school district website or contact your child's school for a paper application
- Deadline: Not specified
New Mexico
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Follow the online application process
- Deadline: August 19
New York
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Follow the online application process
- Deadline: September 4
North Carolina
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Follow the online application process
- Deadline: Not specified
North Dakota
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Follow the online application process
- Deadline: Not specified
Ohio
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Follow the online application process
- Deadline: August 15
Oregon
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Apply anytime with a paper application and email your application to summerebtinfo@odhs.oregon.gov
- Deadline: Not specified
Pennsylvania
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Not specified
- Deadline: August 31
Rhode Island
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Apply online and follow the instructions or fill out a paper application
- Deadline: Not specified
Utah
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Apply online and follow the instructions
- Deadline: Not specified
Vermont
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Apply online and follow the instructions
- Deadline: Not specified
Virginia
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Mail completed applications to Virginia SUN Bucks, c/o VDSS, 5600 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Applications cannot be emailed or faxed
- Deadline: Not specified
Washington
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Follow the online application process.
- Deadline: Not specified
West Virginia
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Access the Summer EBT application at schoolcafe.com or pick up a paper application at any DoHS county office
- Deadline: Not specified
Wisconsin
- Application link: Apply here
- Instructions: Follow the online application process.
- Deadline: Not specified
Propel is the #1-rated EBT balance checking app
What happens after I apply for Summer EBT 2025?#what-happens-after-i-apply-for-summer-ebt-2025
After you apply for Summer EBT, you should receive a response about your eligibility. Assuming you qualify, you should expect your Summer EBT deposit to arrive sometime between May and July, depending on your state.
Some states send out Summer EBT deposits to regular SNAP EBT cards, while some send out specific Summer EBT cards.
No matter which version you get, the rules are the same, you can spend your Summer EBT benefits on any SNAP-eligible groceries.
Checking your Summer EBT balance is also easy—you can download the Propel app and link your Summer EBT card or regular EBT card to stay on top of when your deposit arrives, track any transactions, and see how much is remaining.