Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) started as early as May 1, 2026 in some states, with most states beginning distribution in June. The program runs through September 2026, with the final application deadlines in August and September. There is no single national start date — each state controls its own distribution schedule.
The short answer by tier:
- Earliest states (May start): Louisiana, North Dakota
- Most states (June–July start): The majority of participating states begin issuing benefits in June or July
- Later states (August start): Pennsylvania begins mid-August
- Rolling distribution: Many states issue benefits on a rolling basis, not all at once — your specific deposit may come days or weeks after your state’s general window opens
When Does Summer EBT Start — By State
| State | 2026 Start | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | June 2026 | New card mailed |
| Arizona | June 2026 | SNAP/TANF card or new card |
| Arkansas | May 2026 | Loaded onto last year’s card |
| California | June 2026 | Stage 1 (auto-enrolled): June–July; Stage 2: September |
| Colorado | May 2026 | Last year’s card reloaded |
| Connecticut | June 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Delaware | June 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Hawaii | June 2026 | New card mailed ($189/child) |
| Illinois | June 2026 | SNAP/TANF card or new card |
| Iowa | June 2026 | New card (first year in program) |
| Kansas | June 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Kentucky | June 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Louisiana | Mid-May 2026 | One of the earliest start dates |
| Maine | June 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Maryland | June 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Massachusetts | May 2026 | Last year’s card reloaded |
| Michigan | June 2026 | New card mailed |
| Minnesota | June 2026 | New card mailed |
| Missouri | June 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Montana | June 2026 | New card mailed |
| Nebraska | June 2026 | New card mailed |
| Nevada | June 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| New Hampshire | May 2026 | Last year’s card reloaded |
| New Jersey | June 2026 | New card mailed |
| New Mexico | June 15 2026 | First wave (auto-enrolled); last year’s card |
| New York | May 2026 | Last year’s card reloaded |
| North Carolina | June 2026 | New card mailed |
| North Dakota | May 1 2026 | One of the earliest start dates nationally |
| Ohio | June 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Oregon | June 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Pennsylvania | Mid-August 2026 | One of the latest; late May–September window |
| Rhode Island | June 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Vermont | June 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Virginia | June 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Washington | June 2026 | New card mailed; DSHS address required |
| Washington DC | June 2026 | Most auto-enrolled students |
| West Virginia | June 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Wisconsin | June 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Wyoming | Pending approval | Not yet confirmed |
States Where Summer EBT Hasn’t Started Yet
If your state isn’t in the table above, it may not participate in Summer EBT at all for 2026. States currently not participating include Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.
Utah participated in 2025 but opted out for 2026. Several tribal nations in Oklahoma and other non-participating states are independently participating — check with your tribal nation’s services department.
Why Your Benefits May Start Later Than Your State’s Window
Even if your state’s window opens in June, your specific deposit may come later. Several factors affect your individual start date:
Auto-enrolled vs. applications: Children automatically enrolled (because their household receives SNAP, Medicaid, or free/reduced school meals) receive benefits first, typically at the start of the window. Applications submitted during the summer are processed on a rolling basis and funded later — sometimes in August or September.
Card delivery timing: States that mail new cards distribute them over several weeks, not all at once. California, for example, mails cards in alphabetical order by last name — a child with a last name starting with “W” receives their card weeks after a child with a last name starting with “A.”
Address issues: Benefits are mailed to the address on file with your child’s school or SNAP office. If your address is outdated, there will be a delay. Update your address with both your child’s school and your SNAP office before summer.
Processing time: Applications submitted close to the deadline may not be processed until August or September even in states with June start dates.
What to Do if Summer EBT Hasn’t Started for You Yet
Check your delivery method first. Your state may load benefits onto your existing SNAP card (no new card coming) or onto last year’s Summer EBT card (no new card, just check the old one’s balance). See SUN Bucks deposit dates and delivery methods by state to confirm how your state delivers benefits.
Confirm your child is eligible and enrolled. Most children are auto-enrolled if the household receives SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF. If you’re unsure, contact your state’s Summer EBT program or your child’s school.
Update your mailing address. Families are strongly encouraged to update their mailing address with their TANF or SNAP department and the school their child attends in preparation for SUN Bucks benefits. The address on file will be used for delivering benefits.
Check the balance on your existing cards. If you receive benefits through your SNAP card or last year’s Summer EBT card, a new card won’t arrive — just a balance increase on the card you already have.
Contact your state’s hotline. If you believe your child is eligible and haven’t received benefits by mid-summer, contact your state’s Summer EBT customer service.
When Does Summer EBT End?
Payments began as early as May 1, 2026 in states like North Dakota and Louisiana. Most states are issuing payments between June and August 2026. Pennsylvania is one of the last, with a mid-August 2026 start.
Application deadlines range from August 2 to September 8, 2026 depending on the state. Benefits issued must be used within 122 days of the load date — typically by October or November. Unused funds are forfeited after expiration.
The program itself (new issuances) closes in September in most states. Applications received after the deadline may be considered for 2026 if processed before the final window closes, or carried over to next summer.
How to Check If Your Summer EBT Has Loaded
- Call the number on the back of your Summer EBT card — 24/7 automated balance check
- Check via ebtEDGE app — add your Summer EBT or SNAP card to monitor balance
- Log into your state’s benefits portal — many states show Summer EBT balance separately
- Check your SNAP card balance — if your state deposits to your existing SNAP card, the Summer EBT amount will show alongside your regular SNAP balance
Once loaded, Summer EBT funds are spent automatically before your regular SNAP balance at checkout — because they expire first.
For step-by-step instructions on activating a new card when it arrives, see how to activate your SUN Bucks card.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Summer EBT start in 2026?
Summer EBT benefits will generally be available in late May or early June 2026. The earliest states (North Dakota, Louisiana) began May 1. Most states begin in June. Pennsylvania starts in mid-August. Your specific deposit date within your state’s window depends on your enrollment status and delivery method.
Has Summer EBT started yet?
As of June 2026, most participating states have already begun distributing Summer EBT benefits or are actively distributing them. If you haven’t received yours yet, check your delivery method — you may need to look for a balance on an existing card rather than waiting for a new one in the mail.
What if my state hasn’t started Summer EBT yet?
Some states with later windows (like Pennsylvania, which starts mid-August) haven’t issued benefits yet as of early summer. Check your state’s specific start date in the table above. If your state doesn’t appear in the participating list, it may not participate in the program for 2026.
Is Summer EBT the same as SUN Bucks?
Yes — SUN Bucks is the name many states use for the federal Summer EBT program. The federal program is called Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT or S-EBT). Individual states may call it SUN Bucks, Summer EBT, S-EBT, or their own branded name.
How long does Summer EBT last?
Benefits expire 122 days from the date they are loaded onto your card. Most states distribute between May and September, so most benefits expire in September through January depending on when they were issued. Unused funds are permanently removed after expiration.
For the complete deposit schedule with state-by-state windows and delivery methods, see Summer EBT deposit dates by state. For the full Summer EBT eligibility and program guide, see Summer EBT overview. To check your overall SNAP eligibility, use the EBT benefit estimator.