Summer EBT

Hawai‘i SUN Bucks

Hawai‘i SUN Bucks (also called Summer EBT) is a program that provides $177 per child to help families buy groceries during the summer.

SUN Bucks is generally for school-aged children in households with incomes that would qualify them for free or reduced-price school meals. For detailed information, see the FAQ item below labeled 'How do I enroll my child in SUN Bucks?' that includes the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.

To find out if your child is eligible:

Apply for SUN Bucks

 

School-aged children are AUTOMATICALLY eligible and do NOT need to apply for SUN Bucks if:

  • Your child was in a household that participated in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in any month from July 1, 2023 through August 4, 2024; or
  • Your child is a foster child, or has been identified by their school as homeless, migrant, or runaway; or
  • Your child attended a school that offers the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and the household applied for and was approved for free or reduced-price school meals.

Regardless of immigration status, families with children may be eligible for SUN Bucks. You do NOT need to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for SUN Bucks and you will NOT be asked about your immigration status. Applying for or receiving Summer EBT will NOT affect your immigration status or your ability to remain in the United States.

Applications submitted on or after August 5, 2024 will be considered for the Summer 2025 benefit only.

If you submitted an application between July 5, 2024 through August 4, 2024 and were approved for the Summer 2024 benefit, your approved application will also be used for Summer 2025. You do not need to submit another application for Summer 2025 consideration.

 

How do I enroll my child in SUN Bucks? ▾

Most eligible children were already AUTOMATICALLY enrolled in SUN Bucks and do NOT need to apply for benefits. They should receive a pre-loaded SUN Bucks EBT card in the mail in late July.

The following households need to submit a SUN Bucks application at SUNBucks.dhs.hawaii.gov BY AUGUST 4, 2024. You should be able to apply in 10 minutes or less!

  • With a child that attended a CEP school where meals are free to all students AND who were not approved for free or reduced-price school meals AND who have an income at or below the limits of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines (see chart below).
  • With a child that attended a school that operates the National School Lunch Program and were not approved for free or reduced-price school meals, but may be eligible now because their household income falls at or below the limits of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines (see chart below).

Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines

Household Size Yearly Monthly Weekly
1 $32,024 $2,669  $616
2 $43,475 $3,623  $837
3 $54,927 $4,578  $1,057
4 $66,378 $5,532  $1,277
5 $77,830 $6,486  $1,497
6 $89,281 $7,441  $1,717
7 $100,733 $8,395  $1,938
8 $112,184 $9,349  $2,158
For each additional person $11,452 $955 $221

 
Do you have information about SUN Bucks in different languages? ▾

Yes! Click on the links below for detailed Frequently Asked Questions and answers about SUN Bucks in:

Chinese (Simplified) Chuukese English Hawaiian
Ilocano Korean Marshallese Samoan
Spanish (Latin American) Tagalog Tongan Vietnamese

 
Is SUN Bucks the same thing as Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)? ▾

No. the P-EBT program was a program meant to help families during the COVID-19 pandemic. P-EBT last issued benefits for Summer 2023 and has since ended.
How much in SUN Bucks will we get if we're eligible? ▾

SUN Bucks will be issued as a $177 lump sum per eligible child for the summer period. 
What is the definition of school-aged? ▾

A child who was 6 to 17 years old on December 31, 2023.
I received a notice saying that my child is approved for SUN Bucks. Do I need to apply? ▾
No, but please read the notice and the enclosed FAQs about SUN Bucks. If any children in your household were missing from the notice, please contact SUN Bucks Customer Service toll-free at 1-888-975-SEBT(7328).
What happens after I apply for SUN Bucks for my child? ▾
SUN Bucks staff will review your application to determine if any more information is needed. Complete applications will be processed within 15 business days. A notice will be mailed to the address on your application form to inform you of the application decision. If eligible, you'll receive a SUN Bucks EBT card in the mail.
When will I receive the SUN Bucks EBT card? ▾

For children that are automatically eligible, a SUN Bucks EBT card with the $177 benefit already loaded will be mailed out beginning July 16 via regular mail. For households that apply and are determined eligible, a pre-loaded SUN Bucks EBT card will be mailed out starting July 17 and then after eligibility is determined for subsequent applications that are received and approved through August 4.

It may take as long as 1-2 weeks for delivery. SUN Bucks EBT cards will be mailed to the address in your child’s school records, or the household's mailing address per their SNAP or TANF case if the school record information is not available.

If you need to update your mailing address, contact SUN Bucks Customer Service toll-free at 1-888-975-SEBT(7328) to report their change of address. If your child is a foster child, cards will be mailed to a central Child Welfare office on Oʻahu first and will be routed to the appropriate Child Welfare office that services the foster child thereafter for distribution.
Where can I use SUN Bucks and what can be purchased with it? ▾

Use SUN Bucks anywhere EBT benefits are accepted. Benefits may only be used to purchase food. Stores cannot give change or cash back from a food benefit transaction. Only the exact amount of food purchases may be deducted from the food benefit account. If returns are made from a SNAP account, the amount of the return will go onto the EBT card as a credit. Cash cannot be given for returns according to federal law. There is no minimum dollar amount per transaction or a maximum limit on the number of transactions. SUN Bucks can also be used with the Da Bux program, which provides 50% off local fruits and vegetables.
What purchases are NOT allowed with SUN Bucks? ▾
  • Hot Food
  • Beer/wine/other alcoholic drinks
  • Cigarettes/cigars/other tobacco products
  • Gasoline
  • Dog food/cat food/other pet foods
  • Vitamins/medicine
What if I lose my Sun Bucks EBT card or need to change my PIN? ▾

If your SUN Bucks card is lost, stolen or damaged and you need a replacement card, call the FIS Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-328-4292.

To change your PIN or learn how to protect your benefits, download the free ebtEDGE mobile app or visit www.ebtEDGE.com.
When will SUN Bucks expire? ▾
Unused benefits expire 122 days after the date benefits are issued. Please use the benefit within that time frame. Once expired, the benefit cannot be reloaded.
May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen? ▾
Yes. You, your children, or other household members do not have to be U.S. citizens to apply. You will NOT be asked about your immigration status when you apply. Applying for or receiving Summer EBT will NOT affect your immigration status or your ability to remain in the United States.
What if our address has changed or I have more questions? ▾
Contact SUN Bucks Customer Service toll-free at 1-888-975-SEBT(7328) to report a change of address or if you have any questions that are not covered on this page.