Summer break is a time for fun, family and sunshine, but for many Sacramento County families, it can also mean higher grocery costs while children are out of school. That’s why the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is bringing back SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, for summer 2026, and the Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance is here to help.
Eligible families can receive $120 for each qualifying child to help buy groceries during the summer months when school meals may not be available.
SUN Bucks works like CalFresh food benefits and can be used to buy healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat and whole grains at grocery stores, farmers markets and other locations that accept EBT cards.
Who qualifies for SUN Bucks?
Many children will automatically qualify for SUN Bucks in 2026, including:
- Children ages 6–18 who receive CalFresh, CalWORKs and/or Medi-Cal with a household income at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- Students approved for free or reduced-price school meals.
- Children identified by their school as migrant, homeless or foster youth.
Children attending schools participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program may also qualify.
How do families receive benefits?
Eligible families do not need to apply if their child is automatically enrolled. A SUN Bucks EBT card will be mailed directly to the family for each eligible child beginning in May 2026.
Families who are not automatically enrolled can still apply by submitting a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application (UBA) through their child’s school or district by Aug. 31, 2026.
Families are encouraged to make sure their mailing address is up to date with both their child’s school and their local county social services office to avoid delays in receiving benefits.
Important reminders
SUN Bucks benefits expire 122 days after they are loaded onto the card, so families are encouraged to use their benefits promptly.
Families can manage their benefits using the free ebtEDGE mobile app or by visiting ebt.ca.gov.
For questions about SUN Bucks, including lost cards or address changes, families can contact the SUN Bucks Helpline at (877) 328-9677.
To learn more about SUN Bucks and other food assistance resources, visit the Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance website.