Chris Reykdal Superintendent | Washington Office Of Superintendent Of Public Instruction
This summer, approximately 620,000 children in Washington will benefit from SUN Bucks, a program designed to provide food assistance when school is not in session. This initiative is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program.
The federal government authorized the permanent nationwide Summer EBT program in December 2022 to support children's access to food during summer months. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has received approval to implement SUN Bucks for summer 2025 and is collaborating with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to distribute these benefits starting in early June.
"Students learn better when their basic needs are met," stated State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. "During the school year, we ensure students are fed during the day with our recently expanded school meal program. While school isn’t in session, the Summer EBT program provides an essential opportunity for children in Washington to access nutrition and meals. I am grateful to our partners at DSHS for their help in implementing this program and prioritizing the health and well-being of children and families across our state."
Cheryl Strange, Acting Secretary of DSHS, added: “Food is foundational to everyone’s well-being. We are pleased to partner with OSPI to ensure as much support for children and families as we can, especially during the summer months when other resources are not as readily available, and during a time when grocery costs remain very high in our state.”
SUN Bucks benefits consist of a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child per household. These funds will be deposited onto existing SUN Bucks cards starting the first week of June or mailed out by mid-June for newly eligible recipients.
Some students will automatically receive SUN Bucks while others need to apply. Parents or guardians whose children do not qualify automatically can submit an application online until August 29, 2025.
These benefits supplement other Summer Child Nutrition Programs already available. Families can continue participating in group-site meals or grab-n-go options at local schools and community locations even if they receive Summer EBT benefits.
For further information or assistance regarding SUN Bucks benefits, families can contact the SUN Bucks Contact Center at 833-543-3230 (TTY: 800-833-6348), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays. Additionally, text message alerts about their child's SUN Bucks status are available at textsunbucks.dshs.wa.gov.
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