SUN Bucks 2025: Where Families Will Receive Summer EBT Benefits This Year

• Author: Wilbert Raynor
• Posted: 2025-06-24

For families across the U.S., summer can be a tough season for nutrition.

When school lets out, so does access to free and reduced-price meals. That’s why the Summer EBT program, now widely known as SUN Bucks, returns in 2025 to help fill the gap.

Read: Parents: Here’s How to Receive $120 per Child for Summer Groceries

The program provides $120 in food assistance per eligible child during the summer months—enough to help stretch grocery budgets when it matters most.

 

What Is Summer EBT (SUN Bucks)?

Summer EBT is a federal food benefit program designed to reduce child hunger when school cafeterias are closed.

Families receive $40 per month per child, loaded onto an EBT card that works just like a SNAP card at authorized retailers.

This program started in 2024 and was such a success that it’s expanding again in 2025, though not every state is on board.

 

How You’ll Receive the Benefits?

Each participating state chooses how to distribute SUN Bucks. You’ll get the $120 benefit:

• On your current EBT card (if you’re a SNAP household)

• On your 2024 Summer EBT card (if reissued)

• Or via a new Summer EBT card sent by mail

Deposits will begin between late May and early June 2025. Funds expire 122 days after they're issued, so families are encouraged to use them before they’re gone.

 

What You Can Buy

You can use Summer EBT to buy the same grocery items approved under SNAP, including:

• Fruits and vegetables

• Meat, poultry, and seafood

• Dairy products and eggs

• Bread, cereals, rice, beans

• Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages

You cannot use it for prepared meals, cleaning supplies, personal care items, or household goods.

 

States Participating in Summer EBT 2025

Here are the states and territories participating in Summer EBT 2025:

A–C:

• Alabama

• American Samoa

• Arizona

• Arkansas

• California

• Cherokee Nation

• Chickasaw Nation

• Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

• Colorado

• Northern Mariana Islands

• Connecticut

D–H:

• Delaware

• Washington D.C.

• Guam

• Hawaii

I–L:

• Illinois

• Kansas

• Kentucky

• Louisiana

M:

• Maine

• Maryland

• Massachusetts

• Michigan

• Minnesota

• Missouri

• Montana

• Muscogee Creek Nation

N:

• Nebraska

• Nevada

• New Hampshire

• New Jersey

• New Mexico

• New York

• North Carolina

• North Dakota

O–P:

• Ohio

• Oregon

• Otoe-Missouria Tribe

• Pennsylvania

• Puerto Rico

R–Z:

• Rhode Island

• Utah

• Vermont

• West Virginia

 

Who’s Not Participating?

Unfortunately, these states are not expected to offer Summer EBT benefits in 2025:

• Alaska

• Florida

• Georgia

• Idaho

• Indiana

• Iowa

• Mississippi

• Oklahoma

• South Carolina

• South Dakota

• Tennessee

• Texas

• Wyoming

These states may choose to join in the future, but as of now, families in these areas won’t receive SUN Bucks this summer.

 

Final Notes

With food prices still high, Summer EBT 2025 brings critical support to millions of American families.

If your state is participating, be on the lookout for your benefits in early summer.

It could help cover essentials and ease food insecurity during the long break.

To check eligibility or track your card, visit your state’s EBT portal or the USDA’s official Summer EBT page.

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