Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) Deposit Dates 2026
Summer EBT — branded SUN Bucks — is the permanent summer grocery benefit for school-age kids: one payment per child, each summer, on an EBT card. Here is when it arrives and how to check your state's timing.
The short answer
- Most states load SUN Bucks between June and August. There is no single national deposit date.
- The benefit has been $120 per eligible child per summer in recent years, usually issued in one lump sum.
- Many states pay in batches — children confirmed eligible early get paid early; late applications are paid weeks later.
- Spend it within ~4 months: unused SUN Bucks are removed 122 days after issuance.
How to find your state's 2026 date
Summer EBT is run by the same agency that handles SNAP in your state, and participation is decided year by year — some states opt out. The most reliable way to get your date:
- Open your state's page below — the official agency website and EBT customer-service number are listed on every page.
- Look for the agency's "Summer EBT" or "SUN Bucks" announcement (they are usually published in late spring).
- If your child was auto-enrolled, no application is needed — the money simply appears on the card during the state's issuance window.
Summer EBT vs. your monthly SNAP deposit
SUN Bucks is a separate, once-per-summer payment — it does not change your regular monthly SNAP schedule. If you are looking for your normal monthly deposit date, use the state-by-state SNAP lookup here.
Frequently asked questions
When will Summer EBT be deposited in 2026?
Most participating states load Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) between June and August. There is no single national date — each state sets its own issuance window, and many pay in batches as children are confirmed eligible. Children approved later in the summer are paid later. Check your state SNAP agency's announcement for the exact window.
How much is Summer EBT per child?
The benefit has been $120 per eligible school-age child per summer in recent years, issued once for the whole summer (some states split it into installments). Your state confirms the exact 2026 amount when it announces its program.
Who qualifies for Summer EBT?
School-age children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. Most kids are enrolled automatically if the household already gets SNAP or similar benefits, or if the child is directly certified at school. Families who are not auto-enrolled can usually submit a short application through their state.
How does the money arrive?
Depending on your state, Summer EBT is loaded onto your existing EBT card or sent on a separate card mailed for each child. It works like SNAP at grocery stores and most farmers markets.
Does Summer EBT expire?
Yes — unlike regular SNAP, Summer EBT benefits are removed if unused. Federal rules expunge SUN Bucks 122 days after they are issued, so spend them within about four months.
Does every state offer Summer EBT?
No. State participation is decided year by year, and a number of states have opted out in past summers. If your state participates, the same agency that runs SNAP announces the issuance dates — check its website or call the number on your state's page here.
Is Summer EBT the same as P-EBT?
No. P-EBT was the temporary pandemic-era program and has ended. Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) is the permanent program that replaced it starting in summer 2024.
This is an independent reference site, not affiliated with the USDA or any state agency. Program details reflect published federal rules as of mid-2026; amounts and participation are confirmed by each state — always verify with your state agency.