Across Washington, those plain white envelopes landing in mailboxes this summer may hold a bit of breathing room. SUN Bucks, a one-time grocery benefit meant to stand in for school meals when cafeterias close, are now rolling out to families with school-aged children. Each eligible child gets $120 loaded onto an EBT-style card, intended to help cover grocery bills through the summer while state agencies and school districts finish processing student lists and mailing cards in batches.
The program provides a single $120 benefit per eligible school-age child that can be spent anywhere SNAP EBT is accepted, including many farmers markets, according to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. The agency also reports that SUN Bucks, sometimes called Summer EBT, reached nearly 550,000 Washington children in 2025 as the program scaled up across the state.
Who qualifies and how students are identified
"Most children will automatically qualify for SUN Bucks," DSHS notes, pointing to automatic enrollment for students who were approved for free or reduced-price school meals and for children ages 8 through 18 in households that receive SNAP or TANF. Parents with kids in schools that use the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) may need to submit a Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefit (CNEEB) form through their school so that income information is on file, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction advises. OSPI says districts send student lists that help the state determine who is enrolled automatically.
How to apply and when you'll get a card
If a child is not automatically enrolled, families can apply through the SUN Bucks portal at sunbucks.dshs.wa.gov or submit a paper application to the state. The Yakima Herald-Republic reports that Washington began releasing payments around June 15 and set an application deadline of Sept. 4, 2026; approved applicants should expect a mailed SUN Bucks card roughly seven to ten business days after approval. For questions, families can call the SUN Bucks contact center at 833-543-3230. Yakima Herald-Republic
Local numbers in Yakima County
Yakima County has been an early hotspot in the 2026 rollout. The Yakima Herald-Republic reports the county has received "a little more than $10,400,000" in SUN Bucks payments and that more than 40,000 Yakima children have been recipients since the program began in summer 2024. Statewide, DSHS had already issued benefits to nearly 304,000 children in early June as the agency continues to process remaining approvals. Yakima Herald-Republic
Tips for families
Families are encouraged to double-check that both their school and DSHS have the correct mailing address on file and to sign up for text alerts at textsunbucks.dshs.wa.gov for program updates. SUN Bucks benefits expire 122 days after they are issued, so it helps to plan purchases and keep an eye on the clock. Balances can be checked through the ebtEDGE app or by calling the number on the back of the card, according to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. If a card is lost or stolen, families should follow the replacement instructions that come with the card or call the cardholder support number printed with it.
For many Washington households, the SUN Bucks payment will not solve every grocery bill, but it can take some pressure off while schools are closed. For the latest details and to confirm eligibility, families should contact their school nutrition office or visit the SUN Bucks portal.
