Illinois SUN Bucks provides $120 per eligible school-age child to purchase groceries during the summer. The program is administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) — the same agency that manages Illinois SNAP (called the “Link” card program). Benefits for automatically enrolled children were issued May 18–25, 2026. Families not automatically enrolled must apply by August 14, 2026.
Illinois’s SUN Bucks program has a distinctive feature: benefits load directly onto your existing Illinois Link card if you receive SNAP or TANF — no separate card for most families.
Illinois SUN Bucks 2026 — Key Facts
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Benefit amount | $120 per eligible child (one-time payment) |
| State agency | Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) |
| Eligibility screener | abe.illinois.gov (Summer EBT Screener) |
| Apply online | abe.illinois.gov (Summer EBT Portal) |
| Application deadline | August 14, 2026 |
| IDHS Summer EBT phone | 833-621-0737 |
| First issuance (auto-enrolled) | May 18–25, 2026 |
| Benefits expire | 122 days from issue date |
| Card delivery | Illinois Link card for SNAP/TANF households; new card mailed if Link card inactive |
| Illinois SNAP called | Link card (Link food benefits) |
Who Qualifies for Illinois SUN Bucks
Illinois uses a specific date-of-birth window for eligibility. Your child must have a date of birth between July 2, 2007 and August 14, 2020 — which corresponds to ages 6 through 17 during the 2026 summer program period ending August 14, 2026.
Automatically Enrolled — No Application Needed
Your child is automatically enrolled without applying if they meet the birth date requirement AND any of the following:
- Household receives SNAP (Illinois Link food benefits) at any time between July 1, 2025 and August 14, 2026
- Household receives TANF (Illinois Link cash benefits) during the same period
- Child receives federally funded Medicaid with income under 185% FPL
- Child attended an NSLP school during the 2025–2026 school year and was certified income-eligible for free or reduced-price lunch through streamlined certification or a school meal application
One important shortcut: Households that apply for and are found eligible for Illinois SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid before August 14, 2026 will be automatically enrolled in Summer EBT for 2026 — they don’t also need to separately complete a Summer EBT application. If you’re not currently on SNAP, applying now serves double duty.
Check first: Before assuming you need to apply, use the Illinois Summer EBT Screener at abe.illinois.gov to confirm whether your child is already enrolled or needs an application.
Must Apply — If Not Auto-Enrolled
If your child is not automatically enrolled, a Summer EBT application is required if:
- Your child attended an NSLP school in 2025–2026 but your family did not complete a school meal application for free or reduced-price meals
- Your household income meets the income guidelines but you don’t receive SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid
Apply at the Illinois Summer EBT Portal at abe.illinois.gov by clicking the Summer EBT option.
Illinois SUN Bucks Income Limits 2026
For families applying based on income (not auto-enrolled), household income must be at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level:
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit | Annual Gross Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,248 | $26,973 |
| 2 | $3,041 | $36,482 |
| 3 | $3,834 | $46,006 |
| 4 | $4,628 | $55,530 |
| 5 | $5,421 | $65,052 |
| 6 | $6,214 | $74,574 |
| 7 | $7,008 | $84,098 |
| 8 | $7,801 | $93,608 |
| Each additional | +$794/month | +$9,524/year |
Based on 185% FPL. Confirm exact thresholds with IDHS at dhs.state.il.us.
How to Apply for Illinois SUN Bucks
Step 1 — Use the Eligibility Screener First
Visit abe.illinois.gov and use the Summer EBT Screener. The screener tells you whether your child is already enrolled or needs an application. This takes just a few minutes and prevents unnecessary applications.
Step 2 — Complete the Application at abe.illinois.gov (If Needed)
If the screener indicates your child needs to apply:
- Go to abe.illinois.gov
- Click the Summer EBT Portal option
- Complete the online application with your child’s name, school, date of birth, other household members’ names, household income, and your mailing address
- No documentation upload is required to apply — IDHS will contact you if verification is needed
Step 3 — Submit by August 14, 2026
August 14, 2026 is the final day to apply for 2026 Summer EBT benefits. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
If you need assistance: call 833-621-0737 or complete the Summer EBT General Inquiry Request form at the IDHS Summer EBT webpage at dhs.state.il.us.
How Illinois Delivers SUN Bucks — The Link Card System
Illinois’s delivery method is the most seamless in this series so far for SNAP households:
If your household receives SNAP or TANF (Link food or Link cash): Summer EBT benefits load directly onto the food portion of your existing Illinois Link card. No new card arrives in the mail — just check your Link card balance beginning May 18–25, 2026. Use the Illinois Link card balance line at 1-800-678-5465 or the Illinois Link app to confirm the deposit.
If your Link card is no longer active or you’ve never had a Link card: IDHS will issue a new card mailed to your address on file with IDHS.
If multiple children qualify through different pathways (e.g., one through SNAP and one through a school meal application): how benefits are issued may vary by child. Check abe.illinois.gov for guidance or call 833-621-0737.
When Do Illinois SUN Bucks Benefits Arrive?
- Auto-enrolled children (SNAP/TANF/Medicaid): Benefits issued May 18–25, 2026
- Application-approved children: Benefits issued after the application is processed — typically within a few weeks of approval, on a rolling basis through the summer
- Weekly rolling enrollments: IDHS identifies additional eligible children each week and issues benefits on a rolling basis through August 14
Where to Use Illinois SUN Bucks
Illinois SUN Bucks work at any authorized SNAP retailer statewide:
- Major grocery chains — Jewel-Osco, Mariano’s (Kroger), Walmart, Aldi, Tony’s Fresh Market, Pete’s Fresh Market, Ultra Foods, Meijer, Caputo’s Fresh Markets
- Farmers’ markets that accept SNAP/EBT — Illinois has an active Double Up Food Bucks program at many farmers’ markets
- Convenience stores with SNAP authorization
- Online grocery ordering at Walmart and Amazon Fresh where SNAP EBT is accepted
Illinois SUN Bucks follow the same food rules as SNAP — eligible for most SNAP-approved groceries; not for hot prepared food, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, or non-food items. See the SNAP food eligibility guide for a complete list.
Illinois SNAP (Link Card) Context
Illinois’s SNAP program is called the Link card — Illinois Link is the brand used by IDHS for both food benefits (SNAP) and cash benefits (TANF). Both food and cash benefits are on the same physical card. Summer EBT loads to the food portion of the Link card.
Illinois SNAP income limits are set at 165% FPL gross for most households (slightly different from the SUN Bucks 185% FPL threshold). Illinois also offers expanded eligibility through categorical eligibility for many households.
Check Illinois SNAP income limits for current thresholds and use the Illinois Link card balance checker to verify your balance.
Additional Resources for Illinois Families
Illinois SNAP (Link card): Apply at abe.illinois.gov or call the IDHS helpline at 1-800-843-6154. See how to apply for food stamps in Illinois.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check Illinois WIC eligibility.
SUN Meals (SFSP): Free hot meals for all children 18 and under at community sites. Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or text 914-342-7744 with keyword “summer meals” to find a site near you.
LIHEAP: Illinois SNAP households automatically meet LIHEAP income requirements for energy assistance. See applying for LIHEAP in Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for Illinois SUN Bucks?
Children born between July 2, 2007 and August 14, 2020 (approximately ages 6–17) whose household receives Illinois SNAP, TANF, or federally funded Medicaid under 185% FPL are automatically enrolled. Children approved for free or reduced-price school meals at NSLP schools are also auto-enrolled. Others may apply at abe.illinois.gov if they attend an NSLP school and meet the income guidelines.
Does Illinois SUN Bucks go on my Link card?
Yes — for households that receive Illinois SNAP (Link food) or TANF (Link cash), Summer EBT benefits load directly onto the food portion of your existing Link card. No new card is mailed. If your Link card is inactive or you’ve never had one, IDHS mails a new card.
When do Illinois SUN Bucks benefits arrive?
Auto-enrolled children received benefits May 18–25, 2026. Application-approved children receive benefits on a rolling basis after their application is processed. IDHS identifies additional eligible children weekly through August 14.
How do I check if my child is enrolled in Illinois SUN Bucks?
Use the Summer EBT Screener at abe.illinois.gov. You can also call IDHS at 833-621-0737 or check your Illinois Link card balance — if a $120 (or multiple of $120) deposit appeared in late May, your child was auto-enrolled.
What is the Illinois SUN Bucks application deadline?
August 14, 2026 is the final deadline to apply for 2026 Summer EBT benefits. No exceptions after this date.
Can I apply for SNAP and Summer EBT at the same time in Illinois?
Effectively yes — if you apply for Illinois SNAP before August 14, 2026 and are found eligible, you will be automatically enrolled in Summer EBT without a separate application. Applying for SNAP at abe.illinois.gov also initiates Summer EBT enrollment.
For the complete Summer EBT national overview, see the SUN Bucks program guide. To check your eligibility for Illinois SNAP, use the food benefit eligibility estimator.