SUN Bucks Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Virginia SUN Bucks is a federal food benefit program designed to reduce childhood hunger when school is not in session. Eligible children receive a one-time $120 food benefit to help families buy groceries during the summer.

Benefits are issued on:

• A new 2026 SUN Bucks card, or
• A household’s existing SNAP EBT card if the family participates in SNAP.

Many families receive this benefit automatically, while others must apply based on income eligibility.

Your child is automatically enrolled if they meet any of the following criteria:

• They are school-age and their household already participates in SNAP, TANF or certain types of income-based Medicaid.*
• They applied for and were approved for free or reduced-price meals during the 2025–2026 school year through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).**

Important:

*Only certain types of income-based Medicaid qualify for automatic enrollment. Other types of Medical Assistance, including disability-based Medicaid, Medically Needy/Spend-Down Medicaid, and CHIP/FAMIS, may not automatically qualify. If your child is not automatically eligible, or you are not sure what type of medical assistance your child has, you may submit a SUN Bucks application to review eligibility. 

If your child attends a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school and does not participate in SNAP, TANF or income-based Medicaid, then you must apply for Virginia SUN Bucks. Free meals alone do not establish eligibility in CEP schools.

Differences between CEP and NSLP schools

NSLP is the umbrella program that includes both traditional schools (where students are individually determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals) and Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools, where all students receive free meals without submitting individual applications. In CEP schools, students are only automatically eligible for SUN Bucks if they are categorically eligible through programs such as SNAP, TANF or qualifying, income-based Medicaid.

So, only students determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals through NSLP approved applications are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks. Those children who attend a CEP school need to apply for Virginia SUN Bucks.  

You must apply if all of the following are true:

• Your child does not participate in SNAP, TANF or income-based Medicaid, and
• Your child did not apply and was approved for free or reduced-price meals through NSLP, or
• Your child attends a CEP school and does not receive income-based benefits.

If your child is eligible based on household income, but is not automatically enrolled, you must submit an application.

All families who submit a SUN Bucks application can use the below income eligibility chart to determine whether they meet the program’s income guidelines. Families who are automatically enrolled do not need to apply or reference the income eligibility chart.

JULY 1, 2026, TO JUNE 30, 2027

Only certain types of income-based Medicaid automatically qualifies children for Virginia SUN Bucks. Other types of Medical Assistance, including disability-based Medicaid, Medically Needy/Spend-Down Medicaid, and CHIP/FAMIS, may not automatically qualify your child.

If your child is not automatically eligible, you should apply.

• If your Medicaid eligibility is not income-based or your income exceeds those limits, you may still qualify, but you must apply.
• If your income falls within the Federal Poverty Guidelines, your child may be automatically eligible. See the chart below.

Your child may be ineligible for Virginia SUN Bucks if:

• Your household income exceeds program limits.
• Your child:
  • Is homeschooled and does not receive SNAP, TANF or income-based Medicaid.
  • Attends a virtual-only school and does not receive income-based benefits.
  • Attends a non-public school that does not participate in, and your child was not approved for, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
  • Attends preschool.

VIRGINIA SUN BUCKS INCOME LIMITS

JULY 1, 2025, to JUNE 30, 2026

Homeschooled, school-age children are eligible only if they participate in SNAP, TANF or certain types of income-based Medicaid. These children are automatically enrolled and do not need to apply.

Virtual-only students are eligible only if they participate in SNAP, TANF or income-based Medicaid.

Yes. Children attending year-round schools are eligible if they meet all other program requirements.

Households that apply for SUN Bucks may only do so in the state where the child completed the school year just before summer began. 

Your child may still be eligible if they receive SNAP, TANF or income-based Medicaid.

If your income increased:
If your child was eligible at any point between July 2025 and June 2026, they remain eligible—even if your income later increased. You will not need to repay benefits.

If your income decreased:
You may now qualify. Applications will be reviewed beginning in May 2026. You may also consider applying for SNAP at commonhelp.virginia.gov.

If your child attended a public school in Virginia in 2025-2026 and your family received qualifying benefits at any point during the school year, your child remains eligible for Virginia SUN Bucks.

If your child is not automatically enrolled, you can apply by:

Online application:

Fill out and submit the application online at virginiasunbucks.com

Mail (Paper Application):
Virginia SUN Bucks
c/o VDSS
5600 Cox Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060

Applications will be reviewed beginning May 2026.

Phone:
From June 15-August 31, 2026, Mon.-Fri., from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., you may apply by contacting the Virginia SUN Bucks Call Center at 866-513-1414.

Applications are processed by VDSS, not schools or local DSS offices. The last day to apply for SUN Bucks 2026 benefits is August 31, 2026.

Yes. Unless your child is automatically enrolled, you must apply each year because household circumstances may change.

You will need:

• Child’s name, date of birth and age.
• Mailing address.
• School division and school name.
• Student ID number (from school records).
• Household income, sources and frequency.
• Signature (required).

Providing citizenship status or the last four digits of a Social Security number is optional.

VDSS will begin issuing benefits in late June 2026 on a rolling basis. Automatically eligible families generally receive benefits first.

• SNAP households: Benefits are loaded onto your existing SNAP EBT card.
• Non-SNAP households: A new Virginia SUN Bucks card will be mailed to you.

Old SUN Bucks cards from previous years should be discarded.

Eligible food items include fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy and whole grains at SNAP-authorized retailers, including grocery stores and farmers markets.

You have 122 days from issuance to use your benefits. Unused funds will expire after that.

You can manage your card by:

• Calling 866-281-2448.
• Using ConnectEBT.com.
• Using the ConnectEBT mobile app.
• Checking receipts after purchases.

Please carefully review the SUN Bucks information sheet ("Buck Slip") that was mailed with your SUN Bucks card, as it contains important instructions for activating your card.  You can activate your Virginia SUN Bucks card using the ConnectEBT app or by visiting www.connectebt.com. 

Using the ConnectEBT App: 

1. Download the ConnectEBT app from the App Store or Google Play. 

2. Tap “Create User Account.” 

3. Enter your card number (found on the front of the card). 

4. For SSN, enter 0000. Do not enter your own or your child’s SSN. 

5. Enter the birthdate of the oldest eligible child (MM/DD/YYYY). If not accepted, try the next oldest child. 

6. Create a 4-digit PIN and complete setup. 

NOTE: Choose a PIN that doesn’t use consecutive or repeated digits.   Avoid common patterns like “1111,” “1234,”,”4321” or repeated digits like “2995”. 

Using the website: 

1. Visit www.connectebt.com. 

2. Select Virginia EBT under “Create a new User ID and Password.” 

3. Enter SSN as 0000. Do not use any real SSN. 

4. Enter the birthdate of the oldest eligible child (MM/DD/YYYY). Try the next oldest if needed. 

5. Enter your card number. 

6. Create a 4-digit PIN and finish registration. 

• Lost card: Call 866-281-2448.
• Duplicate or incorrect benefits: Call the Virginia SUN Bucks Call Center at 866-513-1414 immediately and do not use the card.

Federal law does not allow replacement of benefits stolen through fraud, skimming or cloning.

That's why it is important to protect your benefits and reduce the risk of future theft. We recommend the following precautions: 

1. Use only the official VDSS mobile app, ConnectEBT, to access your EBT account. Security of third-party apps cannot be guaranteed. More information and the app download link are available on the VDSS website: Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) - Virginia Department of Social Services 
2. Use the ConnectEBT app’s lock/unlock feature to secure your card. Locking your card when not in use is one of the most effective ways to prevent theft. Details can be found here: ConnectEBT Lock/Unlock - Virginia Department of Social Services 
3. Change your PIN regularly, ideally daily or weekly.
4. Limit or avoid making online purchases with your EBT or SUN Bucks card because using third-party vendors or ordering for store pickup may increase risk. 
5. Be alert when using point-of-sale (POS) machines; if a device appears tampered with or suspicious, avoid using it.
6. Never respond to unsolicited requests for your card number or PIN via text, email or phone. VDSS will never ask for this information through these methods.

• Update your information with your school and local department of social services.
• Contact the Virginia SUN Bucks Call Center at 866-513-1414 between June 15-August 31, 2026.

Cards cannot be forwarded by the U.S. Postal Service.

You may appeal within four months by mail or phone.

Mail:
Virginia SUN Bucks Appeals
c/o Benefit Programs
VDSS
5600 Cox Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060

Phone: 804-726-7000

Yes. Contact Virginia Legal Aid at 866-534-5243 or visit valegalaid.org.