ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program, commonly known by Marylanders as SUN Bucks, is back for the third year after feeding more than 630,000 students in 2025. SUN Bucks are a convenient way for low-income families to help feed their children nutritious food at no extra cost during the summer months by offering an additional benefit on top of other programs, such as SNAP, while school is out of session.
To ensure that every child has enough to eat, the Maryland Department of Human Services is partnering with the Department of Juvenile Services, the Maryland State Department of Education and mRelief.
Most Maryland students and families who qualify for SUN Bucks will be enrolled without any extra paperwork or hassle. Family units that receive Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) or benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can expect an extra $40 for every student on their EBT card for each month, including June, July and August.
Various other programs also automatically enroll students in the latest initiative, including the Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Program, Medicaid and out-of-home care. The large umbrella of programs that ensure qualification for SUN Bucks makes it simple and easy for parents to buy enough food for their children.
Public school students whose families require financial assistance often receive free or reduced-price meals throughout the school day, so SUN Bucks help supplement their diet until school is back in session in the fall.
Summer is a time for children to play, explore and learn, which can all be difficult when they are hungry. In 2025, $75 million was invested in ensuring that Maryland children have proper access to nutritious foods throughout the summer.
“No child should ever go hungry, and the success of SUN Bucks has brought that goal closer to reality, ensuring students have access to essential meals to thrive in the summertime,” Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement. “This program has been a critical lifeline for families to bring food to their tables, as our administration invests in communities to combat food insecurity, improve community health outcomes and fight to end child poverty.”
If your children aren’t automatically enrolled to receive SUN Bucks, then check out our guide below to find out if your family qualifies.
How To Apply For SUN Bucks
Parents can apply to enroll in the SUN Bucks program by visiting Maryland.gov. All school-aged children who fall under a few different criteria may be eligible for the summer program, according to the SUN Bucks webpage. The criteria include:
- The student’s individual status as foster, homeless, migrant or runaway.
- The child’s enrollment in a school that serves Free and Reduced-Price School Meals, and the current income and number of people in the student’s household.
- Student participation in an assistance program (such as SNAP) at any time during the 2025-26 school year.
The Maryland website clarifies that children can be eligible to receive SUN Bucks benefits regardless of their immigration or U.S. citizenship status. For questions regarding SUN Bucks or your family’s potential qualification, parents should call 800-332-6347.
Note: SUN Bucks issued to families expire 122 days following their issue date. Parents can check their SUN Bucks balance here.
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