Summer SUN Bucks (formerly S-EBT)

More information will be added as it becomes available.

What is Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) now known as SUN Bucks?

Summer EBT is now SUN Bucks. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has rebranded all federal Summer Nutrition Programs under the SUN program umbrella. This new name reflects the broad, bright impact the programs have for kids across the nation and in Minnesota, helping them thrive during the summer and beyond. SUN Bucks is the official branded name of the Summer EBT program.

SUN Bucks is an income-based food support program that provides families with $120 per eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out for the summer. Most eligible children are automatically enrolled. When children no longer receive free meals at school, their households might need extra help putting food on the table. The SUN Bucks program is designed to meet this seasonal need.

Qualifications are determined and the benefits are distributed by the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Who qualifies for SUN Bucks (S-EBT)?

For In-Person Students:

Students must meet the following requirements to qualify for SUN Bucks (S-EBT):

Enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP).
Qualifies for free or reduced eligibility*.

*Free or reduced eligibility is not determined by whether your student receives free meals at school. A student must either be directly certified for free or reduced eligibility or must qualify for free or reduced eligibility based on a submitted Application for Educational Benefits.

For SPPS Online Students:

Only SPPS Online School students who also participate in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) are eligible to receive SUN Bucks (S-EBT). In some but not all cases, students who participate in Medicaid may also receive SUN Bucks (S-EBT). Additionally, online students who are certified as foster or homeless will also qualify for benefits.

What do I need to do to ensure my student receives SUN Bucks (S-EBT)?

For students who already qualify for free or reduced eligibility:

Ensure that household contact information is up-to-date in Campus, including parent or guardian name, address and phone number. Contact your child's school if updates are needed.

For students whose family did not complete an Application for Educational Benefits:

Complete an Application for Educational Benefits online at schoolcafe.com/spps or by contacting the Nutrition Services team to request a paper copy (ns@spps.org or 651-603-4950). You will receive a letter in approximately 10 business days letting you know if your child qualifies for free, reduced or paid eligibility. Only free or reduced students qualify for SUN Bucks (S-EBT) benefits.
Ensure that household contact information is up-to-date in Campus, including parent or guardian name, address and phone number. Contact your child's school if updates are needed.

For students who qualified for paid eligibility:

Based on the information provided on your household's Application for Educational Benefits, your student currently does not qualify for SUN Bucks (S-EBT) benefits. You are encouraged to complete a new application if your household income has decreased or your household size has increased since you completed your application, and to see if your student(s) now qualify for S-EBT benefits.
Complete an Application for Educational Benefits online at schoolcafe.com/spps or by contacting the Nutrition Services team to request a paper copy (ns@spps.org or 651-603-4950). You will receive a letter in approximately 10 business days letting you know if your child qualifies for free, reduced or paid eligibility. Only free or reduced students qualify for SUN Bucks (S-EBT) benefits.
Ensure that household contact information is up-to-date in Campus, including parent or guardian name, address and phone number. Contact your child's school if updates are needed.

When will we receive SUN Bucks (S-EBT)?

Many children will receive their SUN Bucks cards in late May/early June, including all those who are:

Enrolled in Minnesota Family Investment Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Medical Assistance (must meet income requirements) or in foster care before March 30, 2025.

Some children will receive their SUN Bucks cards June through September, including:

Children who have an approved application for free and reduced-price school meals
Homeless and migrant children
Children who are enrolled on or after April 1 in the Minnesota Family Investment Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Medical Assistance (must meet income requirements)
Children who are placed in foster care after April 1

What if I qualify for benefits but don't want to receive SUN Bucks (S-EBT)?

Why did I only receive SUN Bucks (S-EBT) card for one of my students?

Cards for eligible students in the same household may arrive on different days. Some reasons for this may include but are not limited to eligible student data being uploaded to the state on different days, delays in processing SUN Bucks cards at the State and/or delays in USPS mail delivery. SPPS does not distribute the cards and we are not able to see when card were mailed.

WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS REGARDING SUN BUCKS?

To check on the:

status of your Application for Educational Benefits, contact the Nutrition Services office at 651-603-4950
name and address that was sent to the state, contact the Business Office at 651-744-4758 or email marss@spps.org (preferred method of communication)
- When leaving a voicemail message or email, be sure to include;
  - Parent/guardian name
  - Phone number
  - Address
  - Child's full name
  - Child's birthdate
status of you SUN Bucks, contact the Minnesota SUN Bucks hotline at 651-431-4608

For more information on the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT), click on this link to the Minnesota Department of Human Services Summer EBT website or call the SUN Bucks helpline at 651-431-4608.