Mayor Bowser Announces Return of DC SUN Bucks, Now in Its Third Year Supporting Families During Summer Break

(Washington, DC) - Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) announced the return of DC SUN Bucks for Summer 2026. Under the Bowser Administration, the District has expanded access to essential nutrition support for families, ensuring that children have what they need to stay healthy and nourished all year long. The renewal of DC SUN Bucks helps give DC families the support they need during summer break.

"Summer should be a time of joy for kids-not a time when families worry about putting food on the table. DC SUN Bucks is one way we make sure that even when school is out, our young people have access to consistent, nutritional meals," said Mayor Bowser. "We've put more than $15 million in food benefits directly into the hands of DC families, and we are proud to bring this program back for a third year. We want families to check their eligibility and ensure they know what next steps to take."

DC SUN Bucks is a federal nutrition assistance program that helps families purchase food for their school-aged children during summer break. By providing a one-time $120 Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) benefit per eligible student, the program helps close the summer hunger gap and reinforces the District's commitment to supporting children and families year-round.

"Children should always have access to healthy food," said A.D. Rachel Pierre, Director of the Department of Human Services. "We are thrilled that tens of thousands of DC families will once again receive support to buy groceries and keep nutritious meals on their tables throughout the summer months."

The District expects to distribute more than $8 million in federally funded food benefits from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to an estimated 72,000 students. The benefits will be provided on an EBT card and can be used to buy food at any authorized Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) retailer. Benefits will be available to use for 122 days (about four months) after they are issued.

"DC SUN Bucks and SNAP continue to make a meaningful difference for families, and we are pleased that they are both available this summer," said State Superintendent Antoinette Mitchell. "Every child deserves healthy, nourishing meals and these programs provide families with dependable support while school is out."

Students who are ages 5-18 are automatically enrolled in DC SUN Bucks if at least one of the following applies to them: they participate in SNAP or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), are approved for Free and Reduced-price Meals, are experiencing homelessness, or are in foster care. Also, students of any age (pre-K through age 18+) who meet the above criteria and attend a school that takes part in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) will also be automatically enrolled.

For automatically enrolled students, benefits will be loaded onto their existing cards-families who received a DC SUN Bucks card last year will have their new benefits added to that same card, and those who currently receive SNAP or TANF will have benefits loaded onto their active EBT card.

If a student is not automatically enrolled in DC SUN Bucks, they are eligible if they attend a school that participates in NSLP and are at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Families can use the new DC SUN Bucks Enrollment Checker to easily verify if their child is automatically enrolled for 2026 and to apply if they are not. The deadline to apply for 2026 benefits is August 23, 2026.

Once a family applies, or if their child is automatically enrolled, recipients are encouraged to log on and use our new DC SUN Bucks Online Portal to manage their benefits. The online portal allows families to update their mailing address, request a replacement card, view approved students, check benefit details, and more.

These digital tools, built in partnership with Code for America and No Kid Hungry, make it easier for families to access and use DC SUN Bucks benefits. Paired with simplified public-facing information, these easy-to-use self-service options will streamline common customer service needs and ensure more eligible children receive SUN Bucks benefits this summer and in future years.

For more information on eligibility guidelines and how to apply for the program, visit sunbucks.dc.gov.

Since the launch of the SUN Bucks program, the District has issued more than $15 million in food benefits to families, including $8.6 million supporting nearly 72,000 students in 2025 and nearly $7 million supporting more than 58,000 students in 2024.

Families with students eligible for SUN Bucks are encouraged to apply early. Later this month, OSSE and DC Public Schools (DCPS) will release more information about additional ways children and teens can access nutritional meals at no cost during summer break, including through the DC Youth Meals Program at sites citywide, including at DCPS sites.

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