SUN Bucks FAQs

The SUN Bucks program, also known as the Summer EBT program, provides benefits for low-income families with school-aged children to purchase food in the summer.

Families receive a one-time issuance of $120 for each eligible child and can use the money to buy food during the summer at grocery stores, farmers' markets, and other authorized retailers.

There are two ways children can qualify: automatic eligibility and application.

A child is automatically eligible if:

They were in grades K–12 during the 2025–2026 school year, and their school took part in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), OR are 6-16 years old between July 1, 2025, and August 14, 2026.

All automatically eligible children must also meet at least one of the following:

• Their household received SNAP or FIP
• Their household received Medicaid at or below 185% of the federal poverty level
• They are in foster care

They were approved for Free or Reduced-Price School Meals (through an application with their school or because they are homeless, a runaway, or a migrant)

In order to be eligible for SUN Bucks through an application, children must have been enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) during the 2025-26 school year, and also meet the income guidelines. Visit  hhs.iowa.gov/sunbucks to view the income guidelines chart.

Once the program is finalized and the application is live (early June), you can apply online by visiting our webpage. Summer 2026 SUN Bucks applications must be received by HHS on or before August 14, 2026. 

Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools are those where every student receives no-cost meals for breakfast and lunch. Attending a CEP school does not mean the student automatically gets SUN Bucks benefits. If your student doesn’t meet the criteria under “Who is automatically eligible for SUN Bucks?” above, you will need to complete a SUN Bucks application.

Maybe. Homeschooled children must meet the same eligibility criteria that other students are required to meet to receive SUN Bucks. See “Who is automatically eligible for SUN Bucks?”

In addition to SUN Bucks, Iowa children and teens 18 years old and under can also access free meals through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s SUN Meals and SUN Meals To-Go programs.

• SUN Meals are meals and snacks served to kids at an eligible meal site.
• SUN Meals To-Go are meals and snacks that can be taken to-go in rural areas from eligible sites.

Local meal sites can be found in communities across the state. To find the nearest meal site, use the following options:

• By Phone:
  • Call 2-1-1
  • Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479), English
  • Call 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273), Spanish
• By Text: Text “summer meals” to 914-342-7744

Online: Visit fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder

Iowa HHS will issue benefits to automatically eligible children no later than early June 2026.

Benefits will continue to be issued as applications are completed and processed. The latest application can be received by HHS to be processed for Summer 2026 is August 14th, 2026.

Yes. SUN Bucks benefits are available for 122 days from the date they are issued per 7 CFR § 292. Unused benefits expire at midnight on the 122nd day after being issued and cannot be restored. This means that on day 123, there will be a $0 balance in the account. Expired, lost, or stolen benefits cannot be replaced or appealed.

No. Expired, lost, or stolen benefits cannot be replaced or appealed.

You can purchase any item that is allowable under SNAP. SUN Bucks have the same purchasing rules as SNAP, which means with Iowa’s new SNAP Healthy Foods Waiver, benefits can be used to buy most food items that are not taxed in Iowa, seeds for food-producing plants, and food-producing plants. 

If your household is currently active for SNAP, you will automatically receive $120 for each eligible child on your SNAP EBT card.

If your household is not active for SNAP, each eligible child will receive $120 on a SUN Bucks card. The card will be in the individual child’s name. Automatically eligible children will receive their SUN Bucks cards by the middle to the end of June.

• If your household is currently active for SNAP, SUN Bucks benefits will be put on the SNAP EBT card.
• For students receiving FIP, Medicaid, or who are in Foster Care, the address associated with those cases will be used.
• For all others, the address that the household reported to their school will be used.

Activate your card by following these instructions:

1. Call the customer service number on the back of your card and follow the automated instructions.
2. To activate your card, you will need to enter your:
   • 19-digit SUN Bucks card number (found on the front of the card)
   • 5-digit ZIP code
   • child’s 8-digit date of birth (MMDDYYYY)   
3. You will be asked to create a 4‑digit PIN. Keep your PIN private to protect your benefits. Once activated, your child’s benefit amount will be available to use.

If your SUN Bucks card has been lost, stolen, or you can’t activate it, please call Iowa EBT customer service at 1-800-359-5802, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you have moved since receiving your EBT card, you will need to call 1-833-631-2508 to update your address prior to requesting a new card.

Call the number on the back of the card, 1-800-359-5802, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

• Online: https://www.connectebt.com/iaebtclient/ Once you log in, you’ll be able to see your current balance, review recent transactions, and lock/unlock your card.
• Mobile App: The connectEBT app makes it easy to view your SUN Bucks balance. After downloading the app and setting up your account with your Sun Bucks EBT card, you’ll be able to see your balance, transaction history, and lock/unlock your card.
• By Phone: Call EBT customer service at (800) 359-5802. Both the automated system and live representatives are available 24/7 to help with balance questions. For case-specific questions unrelated to your card, please contact 877-347-5678 Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Each child is eligible for one SUN Bucks benefit of $120 per summer. Using more benefits than the child is allowed could result in being charged with fraud and/or disqualification from the SUN Bucks program. 

Families will have to pay back the extra benefits spent. If the child has received more than one benefit, please contact HHS at 1-877-347-5678.

Keep your SUN Bucks card in a safe place to use next summer. 

Using the SUN Bucks card is voluntary. If you choose not to use the available benefits, please call Iowa HHS at 1-877-347-5678 to opt out and then cut up the card and throw it away.