SUN Bucks is a federal food benefit that helps low-income families with school-aged children buy groceries when schools are closed for the summer.
It replaces Summer EBT. Scroll down to learn more.
SUN Bucks - Summer EBT
Need More Help? Summer Eats Sites Are Open, too!
What's Different This Year?
SUN Bucks is Summer EBT with a fresh new image and name. The program is managed in partnership by the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance and the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education.
It provides $40 per month per child, paid in a one-time payment of $120, to help supplement the food budgets of qualifying families during the summer when kids are out of school.
This year, Sun Bucks will be loaded onto a separate card from your household EBT card. You should receive that card in the mail by the second week in July.
Important!! Make sure that your children’s schools and DTA have your current mailing address!
- All eligible children in your household should be on a single Sun Bucks card.
- You will need to PIN your card to activate it. Here’s how:
- To set a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for your SUN Bucks card, call the number on the back of the card (1-800-997-2555) and follow the prompts. You will need your case number (which begins with the numbers 8 and 0) from the approval notice from DTA and the birthday of the person whose name is on the SUN Bucks card.
- For students in foster care, you need the student’s birthday.
- Call 1-800-997-2555, and select your language.
- Enter the 18-digit number on the front of your SUN Bucks card.
- Enter the last 4 digits of your case number. You’ll find it on the notice from DTA. If you haven’t got the mail or have lost it, you can visit dtaconnect.com/sunbucks to find it, or check your DTAConnect app.
- Enter the date of birth of the person listed on the card.
- Enter a new 4-digit PIN.
- Enter it again to confirm.
Who Is Eligible for SUN Bucks?
Students qualify for SUN Bucks if during the 2024-2025 school year (starting July 1, 2024) they:
- Got SNAP, DTA cash benefits, SSI with a relative caregiver, or certain types of MassHealth coverage, or were in foster care; AND
- Were enrolled in a National School Lunch Program (NSLP)/School Breakfast Program (SBP) school (click this link to see if your school participates).
OR
Got SNAP, DTA cash benefits, SSI with a relative caregiver, or certain types of MassHealth coverage, or were in foster care; AND
- They are not enrolled in an NSLP/SBP school; AND
- They are between the ages of 6 and 16.
OR
- They were approved for SUN Bucks or NSLP/SBP through an application.
How Do I Get SUN Bucks?
If your children attended a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program/National School Breakfast Program, and your family receives SNAP, DTA cash benefits, certain types of MassHealth coverage, SSI, or were in foster care, they will be automatically enrolled in the SUN Bucks program. In most cases, DTA will enroll you and send you a SUN Bucks card. You do not need to apply.
If your child attended a participating school, but your family or child do not receive any of the listed benefits, you may still qualify for SUN Bucks if you meet the income limits, but you will have to apply.
You can apply for SUN Bucks until Sept 1, 2025.
How Do I Apply for SUN Bucks?
Students who are not automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks can apply online on DTA Connect starting June 15 or right now through a paper application with their school. Check with your child’s school to get a paper application to apply for SUN Bucks or download one in your language
Download a Paper Application for SUN Bucks
Open PDF file, 296.11 KB, SUN Bucks Paper Application (English, PDF 296.11 KB)
You can apply for SUN Bucks until September 1, 2025.
When Will I Get My Benefits?
SUN Bucks cards will be mailed in June 2025. The first round of benefits will be available in July 2025.
If you are eligible for SUN Bucks benefits, they will be paid to a SUN Bucks card in the name of the parent/guardian who completes the application. For eligible families on MassHealth, the SUN Bucks card will be in the name of the head of the household. If the student is in foster care, the SUN Bucks card will be in their name.
Please note: SUN Bucks is not the same as Pandemic EBT (P-EBT). SUN Bucks benefits will not be put on any P-EBT cards. Also, due to the name change, Summer EBT cards from last summer cannot be used. The SUN Bucks card looks different and everyone will get a new card with the new name.
Save your SUN Bucks card!! You will need it for next summer if you are determined to be eligible.
Where Can I Use SUN Bucks?
You can use SUN Bucks anywhere that accepts SNAP. That includes most grocery stores, many convenience stores, farmers markets and farm stands (but you will not receive the HIP benefit with SUN Bucks cards), and online retailers that accept SNAP/EBT.
For More Information
For more information on the SUN Bucks program, visit https://www.mass.gov/sunbucks.
FRAC Fact Sheet on NSLP with more info and helpful examples
Does My Child's School Participate?
Not sure if your child’s school participates in the National School Lunch Program? All Worcester Public schools participate, as do a number of private and charter schools. Use the Search box above the table below to see if your school is one of them.
Worcester NSLP/SBP Schools
| Abby Kelley Foster Regional Charter Sch. | ABBY KELLEY FOSTER ELEMENTARY | 12 NEW BOND STREET |
|---|---|---|
Abby Kelley Foster Regional Charter Sch. | ABBY KELLEY FOSTER MIDDLE | 10 NEW BOND STREET |
Abby Kelley Foster Regional Charter Sch. | ABBY KELLEY FOSTER HIGH SCHOOL | 6 NEW BOND STREET |
Department of Youth Services | THE PAUL T. LEAHY CENTER | 363 BELMONT STREET |
Learning First Charter | Learning First Charter Public School | 50 Richland Street |
Worcester Public Schools | CHANDLER MAGNET SCHOOL | 525 CHANDLER STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | NATIVITY SCHOOL OF WORCESTER | 67 LINCOLN STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL/ST. CASIMIR | 22 WAVERLY STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | MILL SWAN HEAD START | 337 MILL STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | BELMONT STREET COMMUNITY | 170 BELMONT |
Worcester Public Schools | LA FAMILIA DUAL LANGUAGE SCHOOL | 355 Grafton Street |
Worcester Public Schools | WAWECUS ROAD SCHOOL | 20 WAWECUS ROAD |
Worcester Public Schools | BURNCOAT STREET PREPARATORY | 526 BURNCOAT STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | CANTERBURY ST. MAGNET | 129 CANTERBURY STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | CHANDLER ELEMENTARY COMMUNITY | 114 CHANDLER STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | CITY VIEW DISCOVERY SCHOOL | 80 PROSPECT STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | CLARK ST COMMUNITY | 280 CLARK STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | COLUMBUS PARK PREP ACADEMY | 75 LOVELL STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | FLAGG STREET SCHOOL | 115 FLAGG STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | ELM PARK COMMUNITY | 23 NORTH ASHLAND STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | GATES LANE SCHOOL | 1238 MAIN STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | GODDARD SCHOOL OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY | 14 RICHARDS STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | GRAFTON STREET SCHOOL | 311 GRAFTON STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | HEARD STREET DISCOVERY ACADEMY | 200 HEARD STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | JACOB HIATT MAGNET SCHOOL | 772 MAIN STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | LAKE VIEW SCHOOL | 133 COBURN AVE. |
Worcester Public Schools | LINCOLN STREET SCHOOL | 549 LINCOLN |
Worcester Public Schools | DR.JAMES CARADONIO NEW CITIZEN'S CENTER | 1407A MAIN STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | CENTER FOR APPLIED BEHAVIORAL INSTR. | 345 GREENWOOD STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | MAY STREET SCHOOL | 265 MAY STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | MC GRATH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | 493 GROVE STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | MIDLAND STREET SCHOOL | 18 MIDLAND STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | NELSON PLACE SCHOOL | 35 NELSON PLACE |
Worcester Public Schools | NORRBACK AVENUE SCHOOL | 44 MALDEN STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | QUINSIGAMOND SCHOOL | 14 BLACKSTONE RIVER ROAD |
Worcester Public Schools | RICE SQUARE SCHOOL | 76 MASSASOIT RD |
Worcester Public Schools | ROOSEVELT SCHOOL | 1006 GRAFTON STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | WORCESTER ARTS MAGNET SCHOOL | 315 ST NICHOLAS AVENUE |
Worcester Public Schools | TATNUCK MAGNET SCHOOL | 1083 PLEASANT STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | THORNDYKE ROAD SCHOOL | 30 THORNDYKE RD. |
Worcester Public Schools | UNION HILL SCHOOL | 1 CHAPIN STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | FANNING SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM | 24 CHATHAM STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | WOODWARD DAY II/RECOVERY HIGH @ ROCKDALE | 20 ROCKDALE STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | CENTRAL MASS ACADEMY AT HIGGINS ST | 121 HIGGINS STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | WEST TATNUCK SCHOOL | 300 MOWER STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | VERNON HILL SCHOOL | 211 PROVIDENCE STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | UNIVERSITY PARK CAMPUS SCHOOL | 12 FREELAND STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | NEW CITIZENS FOR YOUNG ADULTS - FANNING | 24 CHATHAM STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | BURNCOAT MIDDLE SCHOOL | 135 BURNCOAT STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | FOREST GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL | 495 GROVE STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | WORCESTER EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL | 420 GRAFTON STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | DR. A. F. SULLIVAN MIDDLE | 140 APRICOT STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | GERALD CREAMER CENTER | 120 GRANITE STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | BURNCOAT SENIOR HIGH | 179 BURNCOAT STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | GREENDALE HEAD START | 130 LEEDS STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | DOHERTY MEMORIAL HIGH | 299 HIGHLAND STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | NORTH HIGH SCHOOL | 140 HARRINGTON WAY |
Worcester Public Schools | SOUTH HIGH COMMUNITY SCHOOL | 170 APRICOT STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | CLAREMONT ACADEMY | 15 CLAREMONT STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | WORCESTER TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL | 1 OFFICER MANNY FAMILIA WAY |
Worcester Public Schools | CENTRAL MASS COLLABORATIVE - NEW BOND | 14 NEW BOND STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | CHANDLER ELEMENTARY AT YMCA | 90 MURRAY AVE |
Worcester Public Schools | MILLBURY STREET HEAD START | 389 MILLBURY STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | WOODLAND ACADEMY | 93 WOODLAND STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | CHALLENGE & REACH ACADEMY - HARLOW ST. | 15 HARLOW STREET |
Worcester Public Schools | SUMMIT ACADEMY | 15 JAMESBURY DRIVE |
Youth Opportunities Upheld | YOU,INC 24 HR EMERGENCY SHLTR | 129 BLACKSTONE RIVER ROAD |
Youth Opportunities Upheld | Valor House | 2 Granite St |
