SPOKANE, Wash. – This summer there is a new resource for kids that will help over 500,000 get access to food.
It’s something like an EBT program where kids can go to supermarkets or corner Marts and use their SUN Bucks card to get food.
Here’s how it works. Kids get a one-time payment of $120 that lasts 122 days (about four months) from when it gets issued. The idea is to support kids during the summer who rely on meals at school during the school year.
So, here’s how to tell if you are automatically eligible:
If you go to a school that does free lunch (all of Spokane Public Schools), you are likely eligible, but you still need to fill out a form that you can get at your office, essentially checking your income eligibility.
If you are anywhere from 8-18 years old and live in a household that receives one of the following of food-assistance programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or State-Funded Assistance.
Even if you are not automatically eligible, but you need the resource, still apply. Full eligibility breakdown:
SPS families can go here to check their eligibility status:
The first SUN Bucks cards are already being sent out. The deadline to apply is the end of August 2024. Online applications will soon be available in English and Spanish.
Act quickly if you need to check your eligibility; talk to your schools about filling out forms to verify and get signed up.
These funds come from the federal government authorizing a new permanent, nationwide summer EBT program back in December of 2022.
The Department of Social and Health Services received federal approval to implement UN Bucks in April 2024 and is working to distribute the benefits with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
