It may seem like a summer cash rain for millions of American families who will be receiving $120 checks as per the child benefit granted by the federal Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) program. Due to inflation, the price of food tends to increase, and the whole aim of the SUN Bucks program is to ensure that children are not left hungry.
All about the federal summer EBT SUN Bucks program
$120 is on offer for every eligible child due to the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT), which will assist families with buying groceries this summer. The way benefits are offered is through EBT cards that are somewhat like debit cards, and these EBT cards can be used to buy all SNAP-eligible food items.
Determining the eligibility criteria for this $120 benefit
To receive the $120 benefit, children need to meet some eligibility criteria, including:
- Being enrolled in the SNAP, TANF, Medicaid programs (in participating states), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).
- Children must be attending schools that are part of the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program.
- Each child’s family must meet the income requirements to be eligible for this payment.
Almost all qualifying families will automatically be enrolled for this payment; however, citizens who are not automatically allowed this benefit and feel as if they meet the requirements are more than welcome to apply on their state’s Summer EBT portal.
Which states will be participating in the SUN Bucks program?
This summer, 38 states, as well as several tribal nations and five U.S. territories, will be participating in this SUN Bucks program. A few participating states include:
- New York
- California
- Illinois
- Ohio
- North Carolina
The territories choosing to participate in this program are Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and others. Some states that are not participating are: Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. It is up to eligible citizens to find out whether their state is participating in this program or not, to ensure that they receive the payment if their state is part of the program.
What can be purchased with the EBT card?
As part of the program, SUN Bucks can be used to purchase all SNAP-eligible groceries, including:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Dairy products
- Grains and cereals
- Meat
- Fish
Items that cannot be purchased with SUN Bucks include:
- Hot, prepared meals
- Alcohol or tobacco
- Pet food
- Household supplies or personal care products
The are numerous retailers and farmers markets that accept EBT cards. Those who were sad about the changes to SNAP checks will find some solace in this summer’s payment.
When will the $120 payments be uploaded to EBT cards?
Each state will follow its own distribution schedule; however, most of the states will send out their benefits between May and July. The way payments are received by citizens will also vary according to their respective states. Some states have decided to send out the full $120 payment, while other states have opted to divide the payment into three monthly installments. Citizens in some states will thus receive payments in $40 installments.
Each family should be clued up on their state’s Summer EBT program so they can understand how payment will be distributed and when payment will be loaded onto their EBT cards. Some recipients may be eligible to receive new EBT cards as per their family’s benefit status. Irrespective of when the $120 payment gets uploaded on a citizen’s EBT card, the citizen must utilize these funds within 122 days of the benefit being issued.
According to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, 21 million children will receive this $120 benefit this year, which will ensure that they remain fed during the school holidays. For many families, this cash rain could not have come at a better time, and citizens must make the most of these benefits.
Disclaimer: Our coverage of stimulus checks, tax reliefs, tax rebates, tax credits, and other payments is based on the official sources listed in the article. All payment amounts and dates, as well as eligibility requirements, are subject to change by the governing institutions. Always consult the official source we provide to stay up to date and obtain information for your decision-making.
