Who is eligible for SUN Bucks?
Students qualify 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 will issue 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 do not need to apply.
How do I apply for SUN Bucks?
Families who are not automatically enrolled (see above) in SUN Bucks can apply on DTA Connect (application coming soon!) or through a paper application.
Families are eligible if the students attend a NSLP/SBP school and if their household meets NSLP/SBP income limits.
How much money will my student get for SUN Bucks?
SUN Bucks provides $40 a month to qualified students for the three summer months. DTA will issue a one-time payment of $120 to eligible students.
How will I get my benefits?
All SUN Bucks recipients will receive a new SUN Bucks EBT card for 2025. If you are currently a DTA client, you will also receive a SUN Bucks EBT card. For 2025, SUN Bucks will not be paid on your SNAP EBT card. This is a change from last year.
When will I get my benefits?
SUN Bucks cards will be mailed in June 2025. The first round of benefits will be available in July 2025.
If you are eligible for SUN Bucks benefits, they will be 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 will be in the name of the head of the household. If the student is in foster care, the SUN Bucks card will be in their name.
Please note: SUN Bucks is not the same as Pandemic EBT (P-EBT). SUN Bucks benefits will not be put on any P-EBT cards. Also, due to the name change, Summer EBT cards from last summer cannot be used. The SUN Bucks card looks different and everyone will get a new card with the new 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. In Massachusetts, the summertime period is from June 17 - September 1, 2025.
Students can apply for SUN Bucks up until September 1, 2025.
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. For help finding your homeless liaison, click on the link below. Select HOMELESS LIAISON from the dropdown and type the city/town where your child attends school.
https://profiles.doe.mass.edu/search/search.aspx?leftNavId=11239
If you received SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) 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?
Change your SUN Bucks card PIN as often as possible. Click here to learn more.
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?
If you would like to opt out of SUN Bucks benefits for 2025, visit www.dtaconnect.com and select SUN Bucks from the home page. Then select opt out of SUN Bucks and complete the request. Opting out of benefits is only for 2025 and if you change your mind and want benefits this year, you will need to complete a new application for SUN Bucks.
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.
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 at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, 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.