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Benefit Programs / Food Assistance / Virginia SUN Bucks / How To Apply for SUN Bucks
Virginia SUN Bucks helps eligible families pay for groceries during summer break, when most schools are closed.
Most eligible families do not need to apply. However, households who do not automatically qualify can apply year-round by applying online or downloading, completing and mailing the printable application.
Download the printable application
Once completed, the printable application should be mailed to:
Virginia SUN Bucks
c/o Virginia Department of Social Services
5600 Cox Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060
Applications for SUN Bucks 2026 will be processed by VDSS beginning May 2026. Schools and local departments do not process these applications.
Families who do not automatically qualify can apply year-round using the online application or the paper application that can be downloaded, completed and mailed to:
Families can also apply July 15 through August 31 by calling the Virginia SUN Bucks call center at 866-513-1414 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Applications for SUN Bucks 2026 will be processed by VDSS beginning May 2026. Schools and local departments do not process these applications.
| Your Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Your household receives SNAP, TANF or income-based Medicaid. | Do not apply. Your child should receive SUN Bucks automatically. |
| Your child applied for and received free or reduced-price school meals this year through NSLP | Do not apply. Your child should receive SUN Bucks automatically. |
| Your household does not receive SNAP, TANF or income-based Medicaid and your child did not apply and was approved for free or reduced-price meals through NSLP. | You must apply for SUN Bucks. |
| Your child attends a school that provides free meals to all students (Community Eligibility Provision). | You should apply, unless your household receives SNAP, TANF or income-based Medicaid. |
| Your child attended school in different states during the school year. | You need to apply for SUN Bucks in the state where your child completed the school year just before summer recess. |
| Situation | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Child is homeschooled | May not qualify |
| Child attends a virtual school | May not qualify |
| Child attends a non-public school that does not participate in the National School Lunch Program | May not qualify |
| Exception: Household receives SNAP, TANF or income-based Medicaid. | Child may still qualify |
If your child is not automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks, they may still qualify based on your household income. If your household income is at or below the amount shown in the chart below, you should submit a SUN Bucks application.
Important: Your child must attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) to qualify through an application.
| Household Members | Annual | Monthly | Twice per Month | Every Two Weeks | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
$29,526 | $2,461 | $1,231 | $1,136 | $568 |
|
2 |
$40,034 | $3,337 | $1,669 | $1,540 | $770 |
|
3 |
$50,542 | $4,212 | $2,106 | $1,944 | $972 |
|
4 |
$61,050 | $5,088 | $2,544 | $2,349 | $1,175 |
|
5 |
$71,558 | $5,964 | $2,982 | $2,753 | $1,377 |
|
6 |
$82,066 | $6,839 | $3,420 | $3,157 | $1,579 |
|
7 |
$92,574 | $7,715 | $3,858 | $3,561 | $1,781 |
|
8 |
$103,082 | $8,591 | $4,296 | $3,965 | $1,983 |
|
For each additional family member, add: |
$10,508 |
$876 |
$438 |
$405 |
$203 |
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