The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (Summer-EBT/SUN Bucks) provides grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children who lose access to free or reduced-price school meals when schools are closed for the summer.

Summer 2026 SUN Bucks benefits are expected to be issued during the month of June for those automatically eligible. Families who apply for SUN Bucks will receive a notice letting them know if their child is approved or denied after their application is reviewed. Eligible families must check their mail often for the approval letter. This year, they are being mailed in new envelopes.

SUN Bucks 2026 newly eligible families (have not received a SUN Bucks card in summer 2024 or 2025 and are not actively receiving SNAP/TANF benefits):

• You will receive an approval letter and a new SUN Bucks EBT card separately in the mail. It may take several weeks to receive your EBT card in the mail. Save your letter, as it has instructions on what to do when you get your EBT card. 

 If your child is automatically eligible and you have not received the one-time summer benefit by July 10, 2026, call the SUN Bucks hotline for assistance at 1-833-648-4406. 
 
What to do while you wait:

• Look for the new SUN Bucks envelope in the mail!

• Save the letter and your SUN Bucks EBT card each year. The card does not expire, but unused benefits do. Be sure to use your benefits within 122 days. If you don’t use them, you will lose them.

• Returning SUN Bucks and SNAP/TANF households can call the number on the back of the card each week to find out if benefits have been issued.

• Those with the EBT mobile app or EBTEdge accounts can log in to view the balance.

Visit the Arizona Department of Education SUN Bucks Information for Parents webpage for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

How do you know if your child is automatically eligible for SUN Bucks?

Even though Alhambra schools serve free meals for all students, that does not meal that all students are automatically eligible to receive SUN Bucks. Students must be directly certified by receiving benefits under:

• SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, Head Start, Medicaid, Foster Care, certified as Homeless under the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act, or certified under the Migrant Education Program.

How do I apply for SUN Bucks if my child is NOT automatically eligible?

All applications (electronic and paper) must be received by August 3, 2026.

TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION ONLINE: Complete the SUN Bucks Eligibility Screener Guide (English or Spanish version) to determine if your child will receive benefits automatically. Completion of the eligibility screener will provide the link to the online SUN Bucks household application, if applicable. Applying online is the fastest and easiest option, the online application collects all required fields, helping avoid delays in processing.

TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION BY US MAIL: If you choose not to submit an application online, you may print, complete, sign, and mail in the application. Please note: paper applications may take longer to process, especially if required information is missing or difficult to read.
 
SUN Bucks English Paper Application
SUN Bucks Spanish Paper Application
 

MAIL TO:
Attn: HNS SUN Bucks  
Arizona Department of Education, 
1535 W. Jefferson St. Bin #7 
Phoenix AZ 85007 

Who do I contact if I have more questions?

If you have questions on the topics listed below, please contact the SUN Bucks hotline at 1-833-648-4406.

• Assistance with the SUN Bucks case number

• Date(s) of benefit issuance. Report a change of address

• Child missing on your SUN Bucks case

• Information on SUN Bucks eligibility, how to apply, or how to file an appeal

• How to opt out

• Frequently Asked Questions

 If you have questions on the topics listed below, please contact the EBT card customer service line at 1-888-997-9333. 

• Activating your card 

• Checking card balances 

• Changing your PIN 

• Reporting a lost, stolen, or damaged card 

• Requesting a replacement card 

 Please only contact your child's school if you have questions about the following: 

• Your child's free or reduced-price eligibility status

• The date of birth listed for your child 

• If you need to make updates to custodial parent or guardian or mailing address