If your household receives SNAP or TANF, your school‑age child is automatically enrolled in Virginia SUN Bucks — no application needed! But there are other ways students can be automatically enrolled. To learn more, you can take the free eligibility quiz on our website.
Still unsure about your child’s eligibility status? No problem. New this year, you can submit a free SUN Bucks application online — no printer or phone call required.
Virginia SUN Bucks helps eligible families with the cost of groceries during summer break when most schools are not in session. In 2026, each school-age child that meets the program requirements receives a one-time payment of $120. Benefits will be issued either on a family's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card or a pre-loaded Virginia SUN Bucks card that looks like a debit card.
The Virginia SUN Bucks benefit can be used to purchase groceries like fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and meat at grocery stores, farmers markets and other places that accept SNAP EBT benefits.
The good news is many families automatically qualify for Virginia SUN Bucks and will not need to apply to receive this benefit. If your family receives SNAP or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), your child automatically qualifies for SUN Bucks. Students determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks. Most children who receive certain types of income-based Medicaid are also automatically eligible for SUN Bucks because their income is under the eligible income level.
If you are unsure if your child is eligible, click on the Apply card below to find the Virginia SUN Bucks application. Follow the instructions to complete it online or download it, complete it and mail it to the Virginia Department of Social Services. VDSS will begin reviewing applications in May 2026 and issuing SUN Bucks benefits in June 2026 to qualifying children.
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