DC SUN Bucks Frequently Asked Questions

Most eligible students will be automatically enrolled in DC SUN Bucks. Some students may need to apply. You can quickly check if you need to apply through the online enrollment checker, available May 15. Continue reading to see which students are automatically enrolled and who needs to apply:

1.    [Automatic Enrollment] Your student is automatically enrolled in 2026 DC SUN Bucks and no further action is required to receive the benefits if they meet ONE of the following requirements:

• Are between 5-18 years old and part of a household that participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF or cash assistance) OR
• Are experiencing homelessness or in foster care; OR  
• Submitted an application for free or reduced-price school meals during the current school year that was approved; OR
• Submitted a 2025 SUN Bucks application on July 1, 2025 or later, were approved, and are still attending a school that offers the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).

2.    [Submit an Application] If your student does not get benefits automatically, you can apply to receive DC SUN Bucks if they meet BOTH of the following requirements:  

• They attend a school that offers the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) AND  
• Your household income is at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level.

185% of the Federal Poverty Level - Effective July 1, 2025

Household Size	Annual Income	Monthly Income	Twice Per Month	Bi-Weekly Income	Weekly Income
1	$28,953	$2,413	$1,207	$1,114	$557
2	$39,128	$3,261	$1,631	$1,505	$753
3	$49,303	$4,109	$2,055	$1,897	$949
4	$59,478	$4,957	$2,479	$2,288	$1,144
5	$69,653	$5,805	$2,903	$2,679	$1,340
6	$79,828	$6,653	$3,327	$3,071	$1,536
7	$90,003	$7,501	$3,751	$3,462	$1,731
8	$100,178	$8,349	$4,175	$3,853	$1,927
Each additional person	+$10,175	+$848	+$424	+$392	+$196

No, receiving DC SUN Bucks will not change or lower the amount of your other government benefits.

Eligibility is determined for each student individually, not by the household. This means it is possible for one student to qualify while the other does not. 

A homeschooled student may qualify for DC SUN Bucks through automatic enrollment if they are between 5-18 years old and your household received SNAP or TANF between July 1, 2025 – August 23, 2026.

Your student may qualify for DC SUN Bucks if they meet automatic enrollment criteria. Otherwise, you can apply if your student attends a school that offers the NSLP and your household is income eligible.

Click here to see if your student's school participates in NSLP. Students who are not automatically enrolled in DC SUN Bucks may apply if they attend an NSLP school and are income eligible.

Your student may qualify for DC SUN Bucks if they meet automatic enrollment criteria. Otherwise, you can apply if your student attends a private school that offers the NSLP (Washington Middle School for Girls, San Miguel School, Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys, or Dupont Park Adventist) and your household is income eligible. You can view a full list of NSLP participating schools here.

No, attending summer school or an Extended School Year program does not change your student's DC SUN Bucks eligibility status.

Yes, your student’s DC SUN Bucks card will be issued by DC if your student is eligible in DC. DC SUN Bucks cards can be used in any state at any retailer that accepts SNAP.

SNAP and DC SUN Bucks are two different programs. Your student might be eligible for DC SUN Bucks even if your family does not qualify for SNAP. However, both programs use EBT cards, and you can use your DC SUN Bucks at any store or farmers market that accepts SNAP. DC SUN Bucks expire after 122 days, much faster than SNAP benefits.

The DC Youth Meals Program (DCYMP), led by OSSE’s Division of Health and Wellness, offers nutritious no-cost meals during the summer months at over 100 open sites across the District. For more information on the DCYMP, visit osse.dc.gov/dcyouthmeals.There is no application, sign-up, or ID required.

Starting the last day of school, you can find a summer meal site near you by:

• Visiting osse.dc.gov/dcyouthmeals
• Calling 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE
• Texting 914-342-7744 with the keyword “summer meals”

For additional information on food programs you may be eligible for, visit www.linkudmv.org.

While some families will need to apply for DC SUN Bucks, most students are automatically enrolled. Our online eligibility checker will open May 15 where you can check if your student is automatically enrolled or if you need to apply.

First, check if you need to apply. Starting May 15, 2026, use our quick DC SUN Bucks enrollment checker to see if your student is already automatically enrolled in the program or needs to apply.

If the enrollment checker says you need to apply, the fastest way is to submit an online application when it reopens June 8, 2026.  

Otherwise, a paper application is available year round here (English, Spanish, and Amharic) to download, print, and mail. Copies of the paper application are also available at DC public libraries. Paper applications can be completed and mailed to: DC SUN Bucks Program, P.O. Box 90060, Washington, DC 20002. It takes about 15 minutes to complete. Parents and guardians can complete one application for all eligible students in the household.

Yes, the deadline to apply for 2026 DC SUN Bucks is August 23, 2026. Applications received after that date will be considered for the 2027 program year. Please note that approved applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026 will be used to determine eligibility for both summer 2026 and summer 2027. 

Household income includes money received from employment (including money earned by working children), disability benefits, public assistance, Social Security, pensions, veteran’s benefits, child support, alimony, cash contributions, and unemployment benefits. 

No, you do not need to report changes in your income once your application is approved. You will not be asked to pay back benefits if your income changes.

Yes, you can reapply for DC SUN Bucks any time before the application deadline to be eligible for benefits.

It depends. If your student meets automatic enrollment requirements in 2026, you will not need to apply. If you submitted a 2025 DC SUN Bucks application on July 1, 2025 or later, were approved, and your student is still attending an NSLP-participating school in DC, we will be able to carry over your eligibility and automatically enroll your student for summer 2026 benefits.

The application will ask about all the members of your household, your contact information, household income, the name of your student’s school, and your Account ID if you receive SNAP, orTANF. You do not need to attach any documentation when applying.

To save residents time applying, DC Government securely uses data we have from District programs that share eligibility requirements with DC SUN Bucks. For example, if your student receives SNAP, then we already know your family’s income is within the allowable limit to receive DC SUN Bucks.

It depends. You can quickly check if you need to apply through our online enrollment checker, available starting May 15, 2026.

Many DC schools give free meals to all students (called CEP schools) without making households fill out a Free and Reduced-price Meal (FARM) application. As a result, the District may not have income information for households of students attending these schools that would help us determine if they're automatically eligible for DC SUN Bucks. Therefore, you may need to submit a DC SUN Bucks application, unless your household already participates in SNAP or TANF. The online application will reopen June 8, 2026.

It depends on how your student is eligible:

• If your student receives SNAP or TANF: their DC SUN Bucks will be loaded on your household’s existing SNAP or TANF EBT card.
• If your student does not receive SNAP or TANF: their DC SUN Bucks will be loaded to their existing DC SUN Bucks card. If this is the first year your student is participating in the program, they will be mailed a new DC SUN Bucks card in their own name to the address on file with your student’s school or on their DC SUN Bucks application. The card will arrive in a plain white envelope addressed from Fidelity Information Services (FIS).

Yes, you can change your mailing address and/or request a new card through the DC SUN Bucks portal starting May 15, 2026 or by contacting us.

However, if your student receives SNAP or TANF, address updates must be made through the DC Department of Human Services (DHS). DC SUN Bucks receives address information for SNAP/TANF participants from DC DHS, so we cannot change these addresses. The good news is students participating in SNAP or TANF will receive DC SUN Bucks benefits on their household’s existing SNAP/TANF EBT card, so an outdated mailing address will not prevent you from being able to access your DC SUN Bucks benefits.

If you do not want to receive DC SUN Bucks benefits, you may opt out of the program. If you’ve already received your card in the mail, you should also cut it up.

You will receive the Notice of Eligibility Determination after your application is submitted. If your application is denied, the notice will state the reason for the denial. You may also reapply for DC SUN Bucks at any time before the summer application deadline (August 23, 2026 for the 2026 program year) if your circumstances change or if there was a mistake on the original application. You can appeal the decision by requesting a fair hearing.

You may appeal through any of the following methods:

• Complete a Request for Hearing form and fax it to (202) 724-2041, or e-mail to [email protected];
• Go to the Office of Administrative Hearings Resource Center, located at 441 4th Street NW, Suite 450-North, Washington, DC 20001 and fill out a Request for Hearing form; or
• Have a representative request a hearing on your behalf so long as you submit a written authorization, designating that person as your representative within 10 days of the hearing request.

You have 90 days from August 23, 2026 to appeal the decision stated in the notice you received. If you do not appeal within 90 days of August 23, 2026, you may lose your right to appeal your 2026 eligibility determination.

Participation in income-eligible Medicaid programs does not make a student automatically eligible for DC SUN Bucks for program year 2026. However, Medicaid-participating students may apply if their household meets income requirements.  

You can use a computer at any DC Public Library to submit an online application when it reopens on June 8, 2026. A paper application (English, Spanish and Amharic) is also available here to download, print, and mail. Copies of the paper application are also available at DC public libraries. Paper applications can be completed and mailed to: DC SUN Bucks Program, P.O. Box 90060, Washington, DC 20002.

You can contact us for assistance.

You can contact us for assistance.

Applicants will receive an eligibility notice from DC SUN Bucks stating whether your application is approved or denied. In your application, remember to provide a valid email address and phone number so you can receive your eligibility information as soon as possible, as well as an address for mailing your card if you are approved.

A small percentage of applicants are selected to verify the income they reported in their application. This is required by federal regulations. To receive DC SUN Bucks benefits, selected households must respond to the verification request according to the instructions in their notice. If you were not selected to verify your income, you do not need to complete the verification process.

If your student is automatically enrolled, you will be sent a preapproval notice by mail or email for each eligible student in mid-May or during the summer if they become preapproved after the school year ends. You can also confirm their status using the online enrollment checker starting May 15, 2026.

No action is required. Your student will automatically receive DC SUN Bucks. Refer to your notice for information about when and how they will receive their benefits. You can also find this information by logging into the DC SUN Bucks portal starting May 15, 2026.

You will receive a Notice of Eligibility Determination after your application is submitted. If your application is denied, the notice will state the reason for the denial. You can appeal the decision by requesting a fair hearing.

You may appeal through any of the following methods:

• Complete a Request for Hearing form and fax it to (202) 724-2041, or e-mail to [email protected];
• Go to the Office of Administrative Hearings Resource Center, located at 441 4th Street NW, Suite 450-North, Washington, DC 20001 and fill out a Request for Hearing form; or
• Have a representative request a hearing on your behalf so long as you submit a written authorization, designating that person as your representative within 10 days of the hearing request.

Most DC students who are automatically enrolled will be issued their benefits on June 11, 2026. If your student is approved during the summer, you will be issued benefits between June and early September, depending on when your student is approved. You can check the status of your benefits in the DC SUN Buck portal starting May 15, 2026.

Yes. DC SUN Bucks benefits expire 122 days (about 4 months) after they were issued to your card. You can find the expiration date on your preapproval/approval notice or in the DC SUN Bucks portal. Once the benefits expire, they are removed from your card and cannot be reissued.

If you receive DC SUN Bucks in addition to regular active SNAP benefits on your household EBT card, DC SUN Bucks will be used automatically before your SNAP benefits since they expire first. 

To activate your DC SUN Bucks card and set a PIN, call the District’s EBT card vendor, FIS, at 888-304-9167.

1. When asked for your student’s social security number (SSN), enter all zeros: 000-00-0000.

2. When asked for your student’s date of birth (DOB), enter it as MM/DD/YYYY

3, When asked for your student’s ZIP code, enter for the five-digit ZIP of the address where the card was mailed.

4. You will then be asked to pick a four-digit PIN of your own choosing. Keep your PIN secure and never share it with anyone. If you cannot remember it or someone finds out your PIN, call FIS at 888-304-9167 to select a new PIN.

Yes, keep your card in a safe place for next year after you spend your benefits! Benefits will be loaded to the same DC SUN Bucks card in future years if your student remains enrolled in the program.

If your student has a SNAP or TANF case, their DC SUN Bucks will be loaded on your household’s existing SNAP or TANF EBT card. If your student does not have a SNAP or TANF case, each eligible student will receive their own DC SUN Bucks card when they are first enrolled in the program. 

DC SUN Bucks can be used to purchase the same foods approved for SNAP, including fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads, cereals, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. DC SUN Bucks cannot be used for hot foods, pet foods, alcohol and non-food items such as cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items and medicine.

DC SUN Bucks are accepted at retailers authorized to accept SNAP, including most grocery stores, some farmers’ markets, corner stores and big box stores. You can use the Retail Locator to find a store near you.

Yes, you can use DC SUN Bucks to purchase eligible food items online for delivery to your residence at Amazon Fresh, Giant, Safeway (varies by location), and Instacart. Benefits cannot be used to pay for fees or the delivery charge.

No, you do not need to spend the $120 all at once.

If your card is lost or stolen, to protect your benefits, please change the PIN immediately by calling FIS, the District’s EBT card vendor, at (888) 304-9167 or logging into their site ebtEDGE.com . FIS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may also request a new card through FIS at the same time you change your PIN. 

We recommend that you report any suspicious activity or fraudulent use of your benefits as soon as possible to the DHS Office of Program Review Monitoring and Investigation (OPRMI). You can call them at (202) 671-4460. They will conduct an investigation into the matter. More information is available at dhs.dc.gov/page/fraud.

Please note that unfortunately, DC DHS is not able to replace benefits lost to theft or fraud.

Please allow 7-10 business days after approval for your card to arrive in the mail. If it has not arrived after that time, you can request a new card through the DC SUN Bucks portal (available May 15, 2026) or contact us for assistance. 

You can check the balance of their benefits using the ebtEdge Mobile App (available for Apple mobile devices or Android mobile devices), visiting the FIS ebtEdge website or contacting FIS at (888) 304-9167. Benefit balances are also printed on your store receipt. 

No, P-EBT has ended and P-EBT cards cannot be used for other programs. For more information about P-EBT you can visit dhs.dc.gov/p-ebt. DC SUN Bucks is a newer program, and eligible students will either have benefits loaded to their existing EBT card or receive a new EBT card in the mail pre-loaded with food benefits.

Yes, if your student is eligible for SUN Bucks through SNAP or TANF participation, their DC SUN Bucks benefits will be loaded on the SNAP or TANF EBT card. SUN Bucks will automatically be used before your SNAP benefits since they expire first.

Yes; however, we encourage you to use DC SUN Bucks first because DC SUN Bucks will expire approximately four months after you receive your benefits. The expiration date is found on your preapproval or approval notice and in your DC SUN Bucks portal account (available May 15, 2026).

Yes, we encourage you to use DC SUN Bucks first because DC SUN Bucks will expire approximately four months after your benefts are issued. Your DC SUN Bucks notice of preapproval/approval will include the expiration date. The expiration date is found on your preapproval or approval notice and in your DC SUN Bucks portal account (available May 15, 2026).

No, your student does not need to be present when DC SUN Bucks are used.

You can find the DC SUN Bucks Portal on our website landing page starting available May 15.

We recommend saving or bookmarking this website on your phone or computer. It’s the fastest way to check your application or benefits status, update your mailing address, or ask for a replacement card without having to wait on hold.

Our new DC SUN Bucks self-service portal is the fastest way to manage your household's benefits without ever making a phone call.

By creating a secure account, the main parent or guardian on file can:

• See the benefits status and card status for approved students in your household.
• See the application status of your DC SUN Bucks application.
• Request a new DC SUN Bucks card if yours is lost, stolen, or damaged.
• Update your mailing address and communication preferences so you don’t miss important mail.

If you are having a hard time creating an account or logging in, we are here to help!

For any technical issues with the portal, please contact the DC SUN Bucks Call Center, available May 11.

YTo keep your family's information safe, the portal uses a strict security system to check that you are really you.

If the system cannot match your information and you get an error, please contact the DC SUN Bucks call center.

If you log in and see a student that is not yours, or if a student's information looks completely wrong, please contact the DC SUN Bucks call center, available May 11.

 

If you successfully logged in but your dashboard is empty, it usually happens for one of two reasons:

1. You are not listed as the main guardian: Remember, for your family's safety, the portal will only show the student's information to the main parent or guardian listed in the school's record or your state benefits account. If a co-parent or another relative is listed as the main guardian, your dashboard will be empty.
2. Your student is not signed up yet: If you recently submitted a DC SUN Bucks application, your student's information might not be in the system yet.

If you believe you are the main parent on file and your student is enrolled in DC SUN Bucks, but you are still not seeing them on your portal dashboard, please contact the DC SUN Bucks call center, available May 11.