The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced the SUN Bucks program, an innovative initiative designed to support families with school-aged children throughout the summer months. This program addresses the increased financial strain on families who lack access to school meals during the summer break, providing additional financial assistance to help cover grocery expenses.
Overview of the $120 Food Stamps Payment
The SUN Bucks program offers eligible families a one-time payment of $120 per child to alleviate the cost of providing nutritious food during the summer. This initiative is part of a larger USDA effort to ensure children continue to have access to healthy meals even when school is not in session, promoting their overall well-being and health.
Eligibility Criteria for SNAP $120 Payment
The SUN Bucks program is crucial for families who rely on school meal programs to provide balanced and nutritious meals throughout the school year. During summer vacation, these families often face difficulties in affording the extra food needed to meet their children’s nutritional needs. SUN Bucks helps bridge this gap by providing financial support, ensuring that children do not go hungry during the summer.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Current SNAP Recipients: Families already receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will automatically receive SUN Bucks for each eligible child.
- Other Program Beneficiaries: Families enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) may also qualify for SUN Bucks.
- School Meal Program Participants: Families with children enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP) who meet the income requirements for free or reduced-price meals are eligible for SUN Bucks, even if they do not participate in SNAP.
SUN Bucks Payment Benefits
- Payment Amount: Eligible children will receive a one-time payment of $120 for the summer period.
- Usage: Funds will be loaded onto the household’s existing SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or a new EBT card if needed.
- Expiration: SUN Bucks must be used within 122 days of issuance. Unlike regular SNAP benefits, they do not roll over from month to month.
Application Process for SUN Bucks $120 Payment
- Automatic Enrollment: Families currently enrolled in SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or those with children receiving free or reduced-price meals at school will be automatically enrolled in the SUN Bucks program.
- Manual Application: Families who are not automatically enrolled but meet the eligibility criteria can apply for SUN Bucks through the USDA’s website. Detailed income requirements and application instructions are available on the USDA’s SUN Bucks page.
SUN Bucks is designed to complement existing food assistance programs and ensure children have access to nutritious food during the summer. This benefit can be used alongside other summer feeding programs such as SUN Meals To-go or local meal sites.
Distribution and Additional Information
SUN Bucks benefits began distribution on June 14th and will continue to be issued every two weeks through September as new children are determined eligible. Families are encouraged to keep their EBT cards secure and visit the NCDHHS Card Skimmers and Stolen FNS Benefits webpage for safety tips.
The SUN Bucks program is part of North Carolina’s broader Summer Nutrition Programs, which include free meals at schools and community sites. For more information on local meal sites and additional support, families can text FOOD to 304-304, call 1-866-3-HUNGRY, or visit summermeals4nckids.org.
SUN Bucks provides essential support to families with school-aged children, ensuring they can access nutritious food during the summer months. Eligible families are encouraged to verify their eligibility and apply if needed to benefit from this valuable program. For the latest updates and announcements, families should follow the USDA and NCDHHS social media pages and websites.
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