Sanford School Department

A new federal program called SUN Bucks (Summer EBT for Children) will help low-income families purchase groceries when school is out for the summer. Eligible families with children aged 6-16 can receive $120 in food benefits for the summer period.

The permanent SUN Bucks child nutrition program aims to address child food insecurity by providing funds that families can use to buy groceries during the summer months when kids don't have access to free or reduced-price school meals.

The Maine  Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Family Independence (OFI) is implementing the program. Many families will automatically qualify based on their participation in programs like SNAP, TANF, MaineCare, or free/reduced school meals. However, families can also apply for SUN Bucks benefits separately.

An application for benefits will be available on the OFI website, for families who feel they would qualify for the benefit but did not receive the NOD.

Families who were automatically qualified via another program will receive their SUN Bucks on an EBT Card at the end of June. Families who apply later in the summer months, will receive their benefits at the end of the month in which their application is approved.

Here is the link to the OFI website: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/programs-services

Here are some key details about eligibility and how the program will work in Maine this summer:

Eligibility

• Children must meet USDA criteria set during the prior school year

• Kids automatically qualify if their household receives SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or their child is homeless, migrant, or in foster care

• Children approved for free or reduced-price school meals also automatically qualify

• MaineCare households with income below 185% of the poverty line are eligible

• Other families can apply online in late May

Benefit Details

• Each eligible student will receive a one-time $120 payment for summer 2024

• Benefits will be loaded onto existing SNAP/P-EBT cards if available, otherwise a new card will be issued

• Payments will be disbursed from late June through late October as applications are approved

OFI has been working to implement the new SUN Bucks program quickly after its authorization. Families should watch for notices in mid-May about eligibility and application information later that month.

The SUN Bucks benefits can provide vital grocery support to help families feed their school-aged kids nutritious meals throughout the long summer break. Officials encourage all eligible households to participate in this new child nutrition program.