To activate your Summer EBT card (SUN Bucks), call the phone number printed on the back of the card and follow the prompts to set a 4-digit PIN. Most Summer EBT cards are pre-loaded with $120 per eligible child but cannot be used until you activate them and create a PIN. Activation takes about 3–5 minutes.
The exact steps vary slightly by state, but the process is the same across most of the country.
How to Activate Your Summer EBT Card — Step by Step
- Find your card — Summer EBT cards arrive by mail in a plain envelope. If your state is sending a new card for 2026, it should arrive in an envelope in the mail. Open all mail carefully — the card envelope can look like junk mail.
- Call the number on the back of the card — every Summer EBT card has a customer service number printed on the back. Most states will ask you to call the number on the back of the card, enter the 16-digit card number, and set a secure 4-digit PIN.
- Enter your card number — have the card in front of you. Enter the full card number, which is 19 digits long on Pennsylvania’s SUN Bucks card. Most states use 16-digit cards, but some states issue 19-digit cards — follow the prompts.
- Verify your identity — you may be asked to enter your ZIP code (just the last 4 digits in Pennsylvania), your child’s date of birth, or your case number depending on your state.
- Set your PIN — choose a 4-digit number. In some states, you may need to use the date of birth of your child as the PIN the first time you activate. After first activation, you can typically change the PIN to one of your choosing.
- Confirm activation — the system will confirm your card is active and your balance ($120 per eligible child). Your card is ready to use immediately.
Three Ways Summer EBT Benefits Are Delivered
Not everyone receives a new card to activate. States are using three different methods to deliver Summer EBT benefits for 2026:
Option 1 — New Summer EBT Card Mailed to You
Many states issue brand-new Summer EBT cards each year. If you receive a new card, you must activate it before using it. Call the number on the back and set a PIN as described above.
Option 2 — Benefits Loaded Onto Last Year’s Summer EBT Card
Your Summer EBT deposits will go to last year’s Summer EBT card if you live in Arkansas, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, or New York. If your state reloads the old card, check your balance rather than waiting for a new card to arrive. If you no longer have last year’s card, call your state’s Summer EBT hotline to request a replacement.
Option 3 — Benefits Added to Your Existing SNAP EBT Card
In some states, Summer EBT benefits go directly onto your household’s regular SNAP EBT card. If this is your state’s method and you already use your SNAP card, no activation is needed — just check your balance to confirm the $120 per child has loaded.
If you’re unsure which method your state uses: check your state’s Summer EBT website or see Summer EBT benefits and deposit dates for your state.
State-Specific Activation Numbers
Some states have dedicated Summer EBT customer service lines separate from the regular SNAP EBT line:
| State | Summer EBT Activation Number |
|---|---|
| Washington | 1-833-543-3230 |
| Montana | 1-833-433-8263 |
| DC | 1-888-304-9167 |
| Pennsylvania | 1-877-395-8930 |
| All other states | Number printed on back of your Summer EBT card |
For states not listed above, the activation number is always on the back of the Summer EBT card you received. If your state added benefits to your existing SNAP card, use the regular SNAP EBT hotline on the back of that card.
What to Do if Your Card Hasn’t Arrived
Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) cards are generally mailed pre-loaded with benefits, but it may take several days for the card to arrive.
If your child is eligible and you haven’t received a card or balance notification by mid-summer:
- Check your address on file — benefits and new cards are mailed to the address on file at DSHS, the eligible child’s school or the address listed on the application. If you’ve moved, update your address with your child’s school and your SNAP or benefits office immediately.
- Contact your state’s Summer EBT office — for example, if you have not received a notification about your eligibility for SUN Bucks by mid-August and believe that your child(ren) are automatically eligible, contact the Statewide Customer Service Center.
- Request a replacement card — call the Summer EBT hotline for your state and report the card not received. A replacement is typically mailed within 5–7 business days.
Summer EBT Balance — How to Check It
After activation, you can check your Summer EBT balance several ways:
- Call the number on the back of the card — automated balance check available 24/7
- ebtEDGE app — add your Summer EBT card to the app to monitor balance and transactions
- ebtedge.com — online account access for most states’ Summer EBT cards
- At the checkout register — your remaining balance prints on your grocery receipt after each purchase
If you receive SUN Bucks in addition to regular active SNAP benefits on your household EBT card, SUN Bucks will be used automatically before your SNAP benefits since they expire first. This means your Summer EBT balance depletes before your regular SNAP balance when you shop.
For more on checking your balance, see the SUN Bucks balance and deposit guide.
Summer EBT Expiration — Use Your Benefits Before They Expire
Summer EBT benefits have an expiration date. DC SUN Bucks benefits expire 122 days (about 4 months) after they were issued to your card. Once the benefits expire, they are removed from your card and cannot be reissued.
Expiration timelines vary by state but are generally 2–4 months from issuance. Check your award notice or state’s Summer EBT website for your exact expiration date. Use the full $120 per child before benefits expire — unused Summer EBT funds are forfeited.
What You Can Buy With Your Summer EBT Card
Summer EBT benefits follow the same rules as regular SNAP — you can use them to buy any SNAP-eligible grocery item at authorized retailers. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, frozen foods, canned goods, and snacks.
Summer EBT cards cannot be used for:
- Online grocery orders in most states — SUN Bucks cards cannot be used for online purchasing. All purchases must be made in-person at retailers that accept SUN Bucks.
- Hot prepared food
- Non-food items
- Restaurants (unless in an RMP state and qualifying category)
For a full guide on where and how to use your Summer EBT card, see Summer EBT eligibility and program details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I activate my Summer EBT card?
Call the phone number on the back of the card, enter your card number when prompted, verify your identity (ZIP code or child’s date of birth), and set a 4-digit PIN. Your card is ready to use immediately after setting the PIN. Activation takes about 3–5 minutes.
What if I don’t know my Summer EBT PIN?
If you forgot your PIN or never set one, call the number on the back of your Summer EBT card and select the option to reset or change your PIN. You’ll need your card number and may need to verify your identity.
Can I use last year’s Summer EBT card?
It depends on your state. Some states reload benefits onto the previous year’s card (Arkansas, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York) — if that’s your state, check your balance rather than waiting for a new card. Other states issue new cards each year.
My child is eligible but I haven’t received a card — what should I do?
Check that your mailing address is current with your child’s school and your state’s benefits office. If your address is correct and you still haven’t received a card by mid-summer, contact your state’s Summer EBT hotline to request a replacement.
Can I use Summer EBT online?
Most states do not allow Summer EBT cards to be used for online grocery orders — benefits must be used in-person at authorized retailers. Check your state’s Summer EBT rules to confirm.
When do Summer EBT benefits expire?
Expiration dates vary by state, typically 2–4 months after issuance. Check your award notice or state’s Summer EBT portal for your specific expiration date. Unused benefits cannot be recovered after expiration.
To learn more about the Summer EBT program, who qualifies, and how to apply, see the complete Summer EBT program guide. To check your overall SNAP eligibility, use the food stamp benefit tool.