Louisiana Summer EBT program returns. What you need to know about eligibility and applying
Starting in summer 2024, Louisiana will offer SUN Bucks, a program also known as Summer EBT, to provide grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer.
Each eligible child will receive a single payment of $120 for the summer, with benefits being issued in three phases, according to the Department of Children and Family Services. Phase 1 is launching in June with children who received SNAP benefits during the 2023-2024 school year being eligible for streamlined certification and will be automatically enrolled. The SUN Bucks benefits will be added to their existing Electronic Benefits Transfer card. Phase 2 and phase 3 will be announced soon, according to the website.
“We have been working with our federal partners and fellow agency leaders to finalize plans and timelines,” said DCFS Secretary David Matlock. “The degree of collaboration has been tremendous, and we thank them for their support and assistance through this process.”
Other eligible children who do not have an existing EBT card will be issued one when their benefits are issued. It is important that families ensure their mailing address is up-to-date on their SNAP, FITAP and/or Medicaid, and with their child’s school. Under federal regulations, SUN Bucks must be used within 122 days from the date the benefits are issued, or they will be removed from the card. Once the benefits expire, they cannot be added back on the card.
“We do expect a large percentage of eligible children will receive benefits in time for summer,” said Aly Rau, assistant secretary of Family Support. “The SUN Bucks program, along with the other federal nutrition programs like SUN Meals (the Summer Food Service Program), will provide Louisiana students with access to nutritious meals during the summer months.”
Who’s eligible for SUN Bucks?
Eligible children in the following categories will receive SUN Bucks automatically, without need for an application, beginning in June:
Children whose families received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) benefits during the 2023-24 school year
Children receiving Medicaid
Children who applied and were individually approved to receive free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Additionally, children in the following categories may be eligible to receive SUN Bucks but will need to apply:
Children experiencing homelessness
Migrant children
Children who receive free or reduced-price school meals but did not complete an NSLP application (for example, if the child attends a Community Eligibility Provision school where all students are provided free or reduced-price meals without applying)
Even if your family doesn’t fall into one of the categories listed above, your child may still be eligible for SUN Bucks based on your family’s income, DCFS said.
For children who are not streamlined eligible and need to apply, information about the application process will be provided soon on the new Louisiana SUN Bucks website.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Louisiana Summer EBT program returns, what to know about eligibility
