sunbucks

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District of Columbia (DC) SUN Bucks

DC SUN Bucks provides $120 of grocery benefits to eligible students over the summer when kids aren't getting the meals they usually eat at school. The summer 2026 online application closed August 23, 2026.

Families - use the tools below to manage your 2026 DC SUN Bucks:

Check Enrollment Check your student’s 2026 enrollment status with our quick tool.

Portal Log In Manage your DC SUN Bucks account online: view your student’s benefits, replace your card, check benefit expiration date, and more.

Important: Save your DC SUN Bucks card! You’ll need it for next summer if your student remains enrolled. Benefits expire after 4 months. Spend them before they're gone.

The DC SUN Bucks paper application is available all year. Applications received August 24, 2026 or later will be processed for Summer 2027 ONLY.

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Steps for Families

Check Your Status

Use our quick online enrollment checker to see if your student was enrolled for 2026 benefits.

Receive Your Funds

Already have an EBT card? 2026 benefits were added to your existing card.

New to DC SUN Bucks? Check the DC SUN Bucks Portal to see how your benefits were delivered.

Manage Online

Need to view your payment details, order a new card, or update your contact info?

Skip the phone line. Manage your DC SUN Bucks account online.

Buy Food

DC SUN Bucks expire after 122 days.

Spend them before they expire, and keep your card to use again next year.

Call 888-304-9167 to check your balance.

Find out if your student is eligible: Automatic enrollment vs. Application

Is my student automatically enrolled?

Most eligible students were automatically enrolled in DC SUN Bucks for Summer 2026 and did not need to fill out an application.

Generally, a school-aged student is automatically enrolled if ONE of the following applies to them:

Receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or DC Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits
Is approved for free or reduced-price meals (FARM) at their participating school;
Is in foster care or experiencing homelessness

For detailed eligibility requirements, visit our FAQ page.

Students who were automatically enrolled were sent an eligibility notice in May 2026 by mail or email.

Do I need to apply?

If your student is eligible but not automatically enrolled, you can apply for Summer 2027. You are eligible to apply if you meet BOTH of these requirements:

Your student attends a participating school during the 2026-2027 school year [Check the school list here]
Your household income qualifies for free or reduced-price meals (FARM) [Check the income requirements here]

The online application will reopen spring 2027. August 23, 2026 was the last day to apply for 2026 benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will my student receive their DC SUN Bucks?
Most students who were automatically enrolled for 2026 benefits were issued DC SUN Bucks in June. If you applied or if your student was automatically enrolled later, benefits were issued throughout the summer. 2027 DC SUN Bucks will be issued in summer 2027.

How will my student receive their DC SUN Bucks?
Benefits are issued as a one-time $120 payment. How your DC SUN Bucks arrives depends on your family’s situation:

Households participating in SNAP or TANF: DC SUN Bucks will be issued to your household's existing EBT card.
Returning DC SUN Bucks students (non-SNAP/TANF): DC SUN Bucks will be loaded to your student’s existing DC SUN Bucks EBT card.
New DC SUN Bucks students (non-SNAP/TANF): A new DC SUN Bucks card will be mailed in your student’s name. Once it arrives, call 888-304-9167 to activate it.

More questions? Continue to our FAQ page.

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FAQs