(Credit: LevittownNow.com)
Most eligible children will automatically receive the benefit, including those who already participate in the National School Lunch Program
Pennsylvania is again participating in the federally funded SUN Bucks program that provides eligible families with benefits to purchase groceries and fresh food for children during the summer months when school is not in session.
State officials, including Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Special Assistant to the Secretary Catherine Stetler and Department of Education (PDE) Acting Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe, highlighted the program alongside partners from Feeding Pennsylvania and a food bank this week.
This summer marks Pennsylvania’s second year participating in the SUN Bucks program.
SUN Bucks offers a one-time payment of $40 per summer month, up to a maximum of $120 per eligible child, delivered as a SNAP-like benefit, officials said.
Most benefits for summer 2025 will be issued starting in late July and are expected to be distributed by the end of September.
An estimated 1.3 million children in Pennsylvania are projected by the state to qualify for the program this summer.
“The SUN Bucks program provides eligible households with critical dollars to help bridge the gap during the summer break and ensure that children have enough to eat,” said Stetler.
Most eligible children will automatically receive the benefit, including those who already participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) for free and reduced-price school meals. Benefits will be added to existing EBT cards or new Summer EBT cards will be mailed to households.
“Gov. Shapiro made an intentional choice to opt into SUN Bucks for a second year because he understands that hunger doesn’t take a summer break,” said Dr. Rowe. “This program gives families added support when school is not in session for the summer, helping children stay nourished and ready to learn when they return in the fall.”
Children may be automatically eligible if they or their family already qualify for programs such as SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Medicaid with qualifying income for NSLP.
Families whose children are not automatically eligible, but believe they may qualify, are encouraged to use the state’s SUN Bucks Eligibility Navigator to determine if an application is needed.
The deadline to apply for summer benefits is Aug. 31.
Applications can be submitted online, by mail, or at the Bucks County Assistance Office.
Shapiro, a Democrat, has proposed in the 2025-26 budget for universal free school breakfast for a third consecutive year.
In 2024, more than 90 million breakfast meals were served in Pennsylvania schools, an increase of nearly 10 million from the previous school year, the governor’s office said.
