CALIFORNIA – Governor Gavin Newsom announced April 23, that California will soon be releasing electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards for the SUN Bucks food program in summer 2025.
According to the state, more than 4 million California children will automatically receive SUN Bucks food benefits via EBT card starting in June. Each eligible child will receive $120 in food benefits.
A recent survey revealed that 41% of parents struggle to provide food when school is closed, and 44% are more concerned about food costs during the summer.
“It’s absolutely essential that no kid in California go hungry – especially during the summer months when school meals aren’t available,” said Newsom.
SUN Bucks cards will be mailed in two stages
Most children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals through a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application, or receive CalFresh, CalWORKs, and/or Medi-Cal benefits are automatically enrolled.
Children who are not automatically eligible may apply by submitting a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application to their school.
Due to the large number of automatically enrolled children, SUN Bucks EBT card issuances will occur in two stages:
- Stage 1: Automatically enrolled children will begin receiving their cards in early June through July 2025. Cards will be mailed in alphabetical order according to the child’s last name.
- Stage 2: Children determined eligible after the start of Stage 1 will begin receiving their cards in September 2025 until mailings are complete.
The state said cards will provide $120 per child – equivalent to $40 per month for June, July, and August, the three months schools are typically closed.
California students get two free meals per school day
California was the first state to implement a statewide Universal Meals Program for schoolchildren, providing all public TK-12 students access to two free meals per school day.
For more information about the Sun Bucks Program visit https://www.cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks
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