What are SUN Bucks?
What are SUN Bucks?
SUN Bucks, also known as Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), is intended to help families in California buy food during the summer months when school is closed and works just like CalFresh.
Most children are eligible for SUN Bucks if:
They qualify based on household size and income for free or reduced-price school meals; or
They get CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal (certified at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level), including homeschooled children ages 6 – 18 years.
If your child qualifies, based on household size and income, for free or reduced-price meals, or gets CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal (certified at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level), they will automatically be enrolled in SUN Bucks. Children in Foster Care or experiencing homelessness are also categorically eligible and are automatically enrolled. You don't need to do anything to sign up. You will get your SUN Bucks on an EBT card in the mail.
Families with children ages 0-22 who qualify for free or reduced-price meals and do not get CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal (certified at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level) can submit a Universal Benefits Application to Riverside Unified Nutrition Service Department by September 2, 2025 to see if they qualify for SUN Bucks in 2025 based on household size and income.
Please note - applications need to be dropped off or mailed to the Nutrition Services Department or can be dropped off to your school office to be sent to Nutrition Services.
Please ensure all completed forms are returned to: Riverside Unified School District
Nutrition Services
6050 Industrial Ave
Riverside, CA 92504
For more information please check the California Department of Social Services’ Frequently Asked Questions page linked here.
English and Spanish versions of the form are below.
California’s Summer EBT program, known as SUN Bucks, is returning in 2025. This food program provides families $40 per month for food in June, July, and August ($120 total) when children do not have access to school meals.
Most children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application, or get CalFresh, CalWORKs, and/or Medi-Cal, are automatically enrolled. Children in foster care, experiencing homelessness, attending Head Start, and/or are considered a runaway are also categorically eligible and are automatically enrolled. Some children may need to sign up. Participating in SUN Bucks does not affect a family’s immigration status. Visit our FAQs page for more information.
For cardholder assistance, the SUN Bucks helpline is available at (877) 328-9677. The helpline provides automated support 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Live agents are available Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. To check your benefit balance and claim status, visit the California EBT cardholder website.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nondiscrimination statement for child nutrition program participants.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027 (PDF), found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
fax:
202-690-7442; or
email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Questions: Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) Complaints | cnpcomplaints@cde.ca.gov