Who is eligible for SUN Bucks?
Students qualified for SUN Bucks if during the 2024-2025 school year (starting July 1, 2024) they:
- Got SNAP, DTA cash benefits, SSI with a relative caregiver, or certain types of MassHealth coverage, or were in foster care; AND
- Were enrolled in a National School Lunch Program (NSLP)/School Breakfast Program (SBP) school (click this link to see if your school participates).
OR
Got SNAP, DTA cash benefits, SSI with a relative caregiver, or certain types of MassHealth coverage, or were in foster care; AND
- They are not enrolled in an NSLP/SBP school; AND
- They are between the ages of 6 and 16.
OR
- They were approved for SUN Bucks or NSLP/SBP through an application.
Do I need to apply for SUN Bucks?
Most eligible families in Massachusetts do not need to apply to get SUN Bucks. DTA issued SUN Bucks benefits automatically to most eligible families.
For example, if during the 2024-2025 school year your child/children got SNAP, DTA cash benefits, certain types of MassHealth coverage, SSI with a relative caregiver, or were in foster care, you did not need to apply.
How do I apply for SUN Bucks?
The summer 2025 SUN Bucks application period is now closed. Families can apply for summer 2026 SUN Bucks benefits through a paper application. The application is available in multiple languages.
Families are eligible if the students attend a NSLP/SBP school and if their household meets NSLP/SBP income limits.
Download a SUN Bucks Paper Application
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Open PDF file, 296.11 KB, SUN Bucks Paper Application (English, PDF 296.11 KB)
How much money will my student get for SUN Bucks?
For the 2024-2025 summer period, SUN Bucks provided $40 a month to qualified students for the three summer months. DTA issued a one-time payment of $120 to eligible students.
How will I get my benefits?
All SUN Bucks recipients received a new SUN Bucks EBT card for 2025. Current DTA clients also received a SUN Bucks EBT card. For 2025, SUN Bucks was not paid on your SNAP EBT card. This was a change from last year.
When will I get my benefits?
SUN Bucks cards were mailed in June 2025. The first round of benefits were available in July 2025.
If you were eligible for SUN Bucks, benefits were paid to a SUN Bucks card in the name of the parent/guardian who completes the application. For eligible families on MassHealth, the SUN Bucks card is in the name of the head of the household. If the student is in foster care, the SUN Bucks card is in their name.
Save your SUN Bucks card!! You will need it for next summer if you are determined to be eligible.
How do I use the SUN Bucks card?
SUN Bucks cards work like a debit card. To use your new card, you’ll need to create a PIN. To set it up, you'll need your case number (found on your DTA notice or by visiting DTAConnect.com/SUNBucks and selecting 'Find My Case Number'), your card number and the cardholder's date of birth.
What is my Case Number?
All SUN Bucks eligible clients are assigned a unique 9-digit number starting with the number ‘80’. It can be found on your DTA notice or by visiting DTAConnect.com/SUNBucks and selecting Find My Case Number. You will need this number to activate your new SUN Bucks card.
How do I create a PIN for my SUN Bucks card?
To set a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for your SUN Bucks card, call the number on the back of the card (1-800-997-2555) and follow the prompts. You will need your case number (which begins with the numbers 8 and 0) from the approval notice from DTA and the birthday of the person whose name is on the SUN Bucks card.
For students in foster care, you need the student's birthday.
Check out the Outreach Materials page for a flyer in multiple languages that explains how to PIN your SUN Bucks card.
Remember, to protect your benefits from theft, the system will not allow PINs that are easy to guess, including consecutive numbers (1, 2, 3, 4...), repeating numbers (7, 7, 7, 7...), back-to-back numbers (2, 2, 4, 4), and PINs that include your case number, card number, or date of birth.
What time period does SUN Bucks cover?
SUN Bucks is a benefit for the summer months. For 2025, in Massachusetts the summertime period was from June 17-September 1, 2025.
The application period for summer 2025 is now closed.
My student is homeless/does not have permanent housing. How can we ensure SUN Bucks materials are sent to the correct address?
Every school district has a homeless liaison who works with unhoused students.
If you are unhoused and do not have a mailing address, your SUN Bucks card can be mailed to your child's school. You can find your homeless liaison on the Massachusetts Department of Education's page. Select HOMELESS LIAISON from the dropdown and type the city/town where your child attends school.
If you received SUN Bucks last year, please log into DTA Connect to make sure your address is current.
If you are unable to reach your homeless liaison, you should call the SUN Bucks hotline at 855-425-8770.
Do I have to use all of my SUN Bucks benefits during the summer?
Yes. SUN Bucks benefits expire if they are not used. Families have 122 days from the date the money is deposited on their card to use their SUN Bucks benefits. Benefits not used within 122 days will be removed from the card.
I lost or did not get my SUN Bucks card. Can I get a new one (replacement card)?
Yes. Visit DTAConnect.com and create an account to request a replacement SUN Bucks card. or contact the SUN Bucks hotline at 855-425-8770.
Does SUN Bucks impact Social Security Income (SSI)?
No, receiving SUN Bucks will not impact your SSI benefits. SUN Bucks is a food assistance program, and it will not affect SSI benefits in any way.
I need a SUN Bucks card. How do I check the address it will be mailed to?
DTA will mail you a SUN Bucks card. Please create a DTA Connect account to update your mailing address. If you cannot create a DTA Connect account, call the SUN Bucks hotline at 855-425-8770 to confirm your mailing address. If you receive SNAP or cash benefits, please contact your case manager or the DTA Assistance Line at 877-382-2362 to update your address.
Where can I use my SUN Bucks benefits? What can I buy with them?
You can use your SUN Bucks benefits at any store that accepts SNAP, including online from many retailers. Most retailers have signs saying they accept SNAP or EBT.
SUN Bucks benefits can be used to buy any food that can be bought with SNAP. Most food is SNAP-eligible. You cannot use SNAP to buy prepared foods or any food that is sold hot.
How do I protect my SUN Bucks benefits from theft?
I received a text from DTA about SUN Bucks, but I have not gotten a notice in the mail. How do I check that my mailing address is correct?
Please create a DTA Connect account to update your mailing address. If you cannot create a DTA Connect account, call the SUN Bucks hotline at 855-425-8770 to confirm your mailing address. If you receive SNAP or cash benefits, please contact your case manager or the DTA Assistance Line at 877-382-2362 if you need to update your address.
Can I use my SUN Bucks benefits to get HIP?
No, SUN Bucks benefits cannot be used to earn Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) benefits. You need to get SNAP to use HIP. To learn more about SNAP food benefits and to apply, click here.
How do I create an account on DTA Connect?
Create a DTA Connect account to update your address and contact information.
- To create an account, you will need an email address and a password.
- If you don't get SNAP or DTA cash benefits, to see SUN Bucks information, you will need the first and last name of the person listed on the approval notice from DTA, their date of birth, and the 9-digit case number found on the approval notice from DTA (SUN Bucks case numbers begin with the numbers 8 and 0). If you did not get a notice, call the SUN Bucks hotline at 855-425-8770.
You can also use your DTA Connect account to check your SUN Bucks balance, upload documents, see notices, and (if approved), request a replacement EBT card.
How do I cancel my SUN Bucks benefits?
You can opt out of SUN Bucks each year by visiting dtaconnect.com and selecting SUN Bucks from the home page. Then select opt out of SUN Bucks and complete the request. Opting out of benefits is only for one year.
What other help can I get?
DTA SNAP benefits: If you aren’t already, you might be able to get SNAP food benefits to help buy food year-round! A family of three can get up to $768 a month. Visit Mass.gov/SNAP to learn more and apply.
DTA cash benefits: If you have children and no or very low income, you may qualify for TAFDC cash benefits. Visit Mass.gov/How-to/Apply-for-TAFDC to learn more and apply.
WIC: WIC is a monthly food benefit if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or for households with children under 5 or a pregnant person. With WIC you also get free nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services. For more information and to apply, visit Mass.gov/WIC or call 800-942-1007.
Summer Eats: Summer Eats is a USDA funded program administered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Summer Eats provides free meals at over 1,000 sites statewide to kids and teens ages 18 and under during the summer months when school is not in session. Meals are often provided in the same place as educational and recreational activities. Find meal sites by visiting ProjectBread.org/SummerEats or by calling the Project Bread FoodSource Hotline at 800-645-8333. You can also call the FoodSource Hotline for information about other local food resources.
Massachusetts 2-1-1: Call 211 to find health and human services programs in your area.
SUN Bucks 2025 Rights and Responsibilities
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination:
Complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online, and at any USDA office. You can ask for a copy of the complaint form by calling 866-632-9992; or
Write a letter addressed to USDA and put in the letter all of the information requested in the form.
Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, D.C.20250-9410; or
fax: 202-690-7442; or
email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
FNS has determined that Massachusetts must submit a request seeking waiver approval in order to administer the SUN Bucks as planned. FNS has authority to waive regulatory provisions for SUN Bucks, when certain conditions are met, consistent with Section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. 1760(l).
Waiver(s) Requested:
7 CFR 292.15(c)(1)(i)(A) Benefit issuance.
For children who can be streamline certified or who have an approved SUN Bucks application on file, benefits must be issued and available for participants to use 7-14 calendar days before the start of the summer operational period.
7 CFR 292.15(c)(1)(i)(B) Benefit issuance.
For eligible children who apply after the summer operational period begins, benefits must be issued and available to spend not later than 15 operational days after a complete application is received by the SUN Bucks agency.