sunbucks

Who is automatically eligible?

Students were automatically eligible for 2025 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
• Part of a household that 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.

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 received benefits automatically for summer 2025 without completing a DC SUN Bucks application. Students who were automatically eligible were sent a notice by mail or email. If you think your student was automatically eligible but did not receive a notice, you can contact us.

How do I enroll?

Most students are automatically eligible for DC SUN Bucks and do not need to apply.

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 reopen in spring 2026.

IMPORTANT: If you are applying for 2026 SUN Bucks benefits, you must be enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during the 2025-2026 school year. (See if your school participates);

Steps

Check

You may already be automatically eligible for DC SUN Bucks.The online eligibility checker will reopen in spring 2026.

Apply

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

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 2025 DC SUN Bucks card for use next summer.

How will I get my benefits?

2025 SUN Bucks benefits were issued to most preapproved students on June 11, 2025. Benefits for newly approved students were issued throughout the summer. If your student has an active SNAP or TANF case, SUN Bucks were loaded on your household’s existing SNAP or TANF card. If your student does not have an active SNAP or TANF case, a new DC SUN Bucks card was mailed for each eligible student in that student’s name to the address on file at your student’s school.

Save your 2025 DC SUN Bucks card. Next year’s DC SUN Bucks benefits will be loaded to the same card if your student remains eligible.