sunbucks

Who is automatically eligible?

Students are automatically eligible for DC SUN Bucks if during the 2024-2025 school year (starting July 1, 2024), they: 

• Attended a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participating school; AND
• Participated in DC Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), DC Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or DC Medicaid with a household income equal to or less than 185% of the federal poverty level (FPL)*, or were categorically eligible for NSLP (foster care, homeless, runaway, or migrant).

OR

• Were between the ages of 5 and 18; AND
• Participated in DC Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), DC Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or DC Medicaid with a household income equal to or less than 185% of the federal poverty level (FPL)*, or were in foster care.

* Some children age 5-18 who are not enrolled in school will need complete a brief Medicaid opt-in form to confirm if they are preapproved.

OR

• Were approved for free or reduced-priced school meals after submitting a FARMS application at school or applied for DC SUN Bucks after July 1, 2024 and were approved.

These students will receive benefits automatically. You DO NOT need to fill out a DC SUN Bucks application. We will send you a notice by mail or email if your student is automatically eligible. If you do not receive a notice by June 4, 2025, you can check your eligibility by calling the DC SUN Bucks Call Center at (202) 888-4834, TTY/TTD: 711.

How do I enroll?

Most students are automatically eligible for DC SUN Bucks and do not need to apply. Check if you’re eligible first.

If your student goes to a DC NSLP school but does not meet the automatic eligibility categories, you can apply if your household income is less than 185% of the federal poverty level. The online application will open in June 2025 and takes about 15 minutes to complete.  

IMPORTANT: If you are applying for SUN Bucks, you must be enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) this year. (See if your school participates);

Steps

Check

You may already be automatically eligible for DC SUN Bucks. Use the eligibility checker or call the DC SUN Bucks Call Center to see if you need to apply.

Apply

If you are not already automatically eligible, you can submit an application for your student(s). It takes about 15 minutes to apply online.

Verify

Some families who apply may be asked to send in documents to verify if they are eligible.

Receive

A DC SUN Bucks card in each eligible student’s name will be mailed. Call FIS, DC’s EBT card vendor, to activate your card and set a PIN, at 888-304-9167.

Spend

DC SUN Bucks benefits expire 122 days after they are issued, so don’t forget to check your DC SUN Bucks balance and use your benefits before they expire.

Save

Save your DC SUN Bucks card for use next summer.

How will I get my benefits?

You will receive your SUN Bucks benefits around June 11, 2025. If your student has an active SNAP or TANF case, your SUN Bucks will be loaded on your household’s existing SNAP or TANF card. If your student does not have an active SNAP or TANF case, you will be mailed a new DC SUN Bucks card for each eligible student in that student’s name to the address on file at your student’s school.

Save your DC SUN Bucks card. Next year’s DC SUN Bucks benefits will be loaded to the same card if your student remains eligible.