Summer break is already looking a little less stressful for Maryland parents. The state’s SUN Bucks program is live for summer 2026, sending $40 per eligible child into families’ hands each month from June through August to help cover groceries while school cafeterias are closed. Most kids who already qualify for Medicaid, SNAP, free or reduced‑price school meals, or who are in out‑of‑home care will be automatically enrolled, while other families can apply online. State officials say the rollout is part of a broader effort to close the summer nutrition gap that opens when school meals stop.
How the money reaches families
Gov. Wes Moore announced the 2026 SUN Bucks launch and said the program will deliver an additional $40 per student each month in June, July and August. Households receiving SNAP or Temporary Cash Assistance will see the funds loaded directly onto their existing EBT cards, while children in households that have never had an EBT card will be mailed a white “Maryland SUN Bucks” card in the child’s name, according to the Governor's Office. “No child should ever go hungry,” Moore said in the announcement.
Who qualifies
The Maryland Department of Human Services says most eligible students will be automatically enrolled if their household gets SNAP, Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) or Medicaid, or if the child applied for and received Free and Reduced‑Price School Meals during the 2025–26 school year. The program also covers students in foster care, those experiencing homelessness or migration, and school‑aged children 5 to 18. Children who attend Community Eligibility Provision schools but whose families are not already on benefits will need to submit an application. DHS also notes that benefits are issued in the last week of each month and that unused SUN Bucks expire 122 days after issuance, so families should check balances and use the benefits in time, according to Maryland DHS.
Scale and context
The Moore administration says SUN Bucks is already operating at a serious scale. Last summer, the state distributed roughly $75 million and reached more than 630,000 students, which officials describe as the largest summer nutrition investment in state history, according to the Governor's Office. The state will again partner with civic‑tech group mRelief and the Maryland State Department of Education to match records and connect with families who are not on other benefits. Officials say the program helps fill the gaps that appear when schools close, and some families fall through the cracks of federal SNAP policy.
How to check status and get help
Families can check eligibility, apply, and find card activation instructions on the Maryland SUN Bucks information page. DHS also operates an online portal and a hotline at 1‑800‑332‑6347 to help with cards or applications, per Maryland DHS. The state recommends double‑checking your address with your child’s school so mailed cards do not go astray. For early local coverage of the rollout, see WBAL-TV.
