SUN Bucks - Arizona Food Bank Network

Attention Families!

SUN Bucks offers $120 in grocery benefits per eligible school-age child during summer breaks. These benefits, also called Summer EBT in some areas, can be used at authorized retailers in participating states, Tribes, and territories.

Children can receive SUN Bucks alongside other benefits like SNAP and WIC, and in addition to free Summer Meals from local meal sites or SUN Meals To-Go in eligible rural areas.

SUN Bucks FAQ

What is SUN Bucks?

SUN Bucks (or Summer EBT) is a $120 grocery-buying benefit for low-income families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer.

Can my child get SUN Bucks?

Your child will automatically get SUN Bucks if:

Children ages 6-16 years old and your family participated in SNAP or TANF from July 1, 2024- August 5, 2025.
Children ages 6-16 years old and your family participated in AHCCCS with a household income of 185% of the federal poverty level or below.
Children who are unhoused, foster, runaway, migrant students or participate in Head Start.

Your child may be eligible, consider applying for SUN Bucks if:

Children that attend a school that operates the National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Programs AND submitted a completed alternate income form with their child’s school.
Children that attend a school that serves free meals to all enrolled students AND they would qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.
If you think your child is eligible based on your household income, visit the Arizona Department of Education eligibility screener or call 833-648-4406 to find out if you should submit an application.

The SUN Bucks application will close on August 5, 2025.

SUN Bucks will be mailed to the address on file with your school. Please make sure it is up to date! IMPORTANT: Do not discard the letter that comes with your card. It contains your case number, which will be needed to set up your card’s PIN!

What is an NSLP/SBP School? The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP) are federally assisted meal programs, which traditional public schools and certain charter schools operate.

Where can I use SUN Bucks? SUN Bucks is accepted anywhere SNAP is accepted (excluding prepared food), including grocery stores, corner stores, farmers’ markets, and online retailers. See more: http://bit.ly/SNAPonlineAZ. 

Will I be able to receive SUN Bucks and participate in Summer Meals? Yes! Participating in SUN Bucks does not impact your ability to participate in the Summer Meals program as well. We encourage families to utilize both programs, if they are eligible. www.azhealthzone.org/freesummermeals

How does SUN Bucks work?

Families that participate in SNAP or TANF will receive funds directly to their existing household’s Arizona EBT card.
If you have an Arizona EBT card from Summer 2024, benefits will be loaded directly onto the EBT card. For questions, please contact the EBT card SUN Bucks hotline at 1 (833) 648-4406.
If you do not have an Arizona EBT card, one will be mailed to you with your SUN Bucks benefits pre-loaded onto the card. The card works like a debit card.
If you have more than one eligible child, you will only get one card per household. For example, if you have 2 eligible kids, you will get one card with $240 total.
SUN Bucks must be used within 122 days of the date when benefits are loaded onto the card. Unused benefits will be removed on day 123.

Have other questions? Access the flyers above, visit the Arizona Department of Education SUN Bucks webpage, or call the SUN Bucks hotline: 1-833-648-4406.