Arizona SUN Bucks provides $120 per eligible school-age child to buy groceries during the summer. The program — officially called Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer-EBT) — is administered by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES).
Most families who receive SNAP, TANF, or qualifying Medicaid are automatically enrolled. Families who don’t receive those benefits may still qualify based on income and must apply by August 3, 2026.
Arizona SUN Bucks 2026 — Key Facts
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Benefit amount | $120 per eligible child (one-time payment) |
| Who administers it | Arizona Department of Education (ADE) + AZ DES |
| Application deadline | August 3, 2026 |
| Apply / check eligibility | azed.gov/SUNBucksEligibilityScreener |
| Card replacement / address update | Call (833) 648-4406 |
| EBT card support | (888) 997-9333 or ebtedge.com |
| Benefits expire | 122 days from issue date |
| Card delivery | Existing 2026 card for 2025 recipients; new card mailed for newly eligible |
Who Qualifies for Arizona SUN Bucks
Automatically Eligible — No Application Needed
Your child is automatically enrolled in Arizona SUN Bucks without applying if:
- Your household receives SNAP (food stamps) — children in SNAP households who attended an NSLP or SBP school are directly certified
- Your household receives TANF or FDPIR
- Your child receives qualifying Medicaid in Arizona
- Your child was individually approved for free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) at their school
Arizona uses the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) to directly certify SNAP and TANF households — if you receive these benefits, expect your child’s SUN Bucks to be issued automatically.
Must Apply — Income-Based Eligibility
If your household does not receive SNAP, TANF, or qualifying Medicaid, your child may still qualify based on household income. You must complete the eligibility screener and apply at azed.gov by August 3, 2026.
Your child qualifies if:
- They attend a school that participates in the NSLP or SBP
- Your household income is at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Schools
Arizona has many schools enrolled in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), where all students receive free meals regardless of income. However, CEP school attendance alone does not automatically qualify a child for SUN Bucks in Arizona. CEP school families who don’t receive SNAP, TANF, or qualifying Medicaid must check their eligibility and apply if they meet the income threshold.
Use the ADE eligibility screener at azed.gov/SUNBucksEligibilityScreener to find out quickly whether your child is auto-enrolled or needs to apply.
Arizona SUN Bucks Income Limits 2026
For families applying based on income (not auto-enrolled through SNAP/TANF/Medicaid), household income must be at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level — the same threshold used for free and reduced-price school meals:
| 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 |
These figures are based on 185% FPL guidelines for the 48 contiguous states. Confirm exact thresholds with ADE at azed.gov.
If your household income is at or below these limits and your child attends an NSLP or SBP school, apply before the August 3 deadline.
How to Apply for Arizona SUN Bucks
Step 1 — Use the Eligibility Screener
Before applying, go to azed.gov/SUNBucksEligibilityScreener and complete the online screener. This tool tells you whether your child is automatically eligible (no application needed) or whether you need to submit a full application.
Step 2 — Complete the Application (If Required)
If the screener indicates you need to apply, complete the full application online at azed.gov or download and mail in a paper application.
You will need:
- Child’s name, date of birth, and school name
- Household size — all people living in your home
- Monthly gross income for all household members
- Home address — where the SUN Bucks card will be mailed
- Proof documents may be requested to verify income or school enrollment
Step 3 — Submit Before August 3, 2026
The Arizona SUN Bucks application deadline is August 3, 2026. Applications received after this date will not be considered for 2026 benefits.
Step 4 — Watch for Your Card
For 2025 SUN Bucks recipients: For households that received the Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) benefit in 2025, your 2026 benefit should be added to the same card from 2025. Check your old card’s balance rather than waiting for a new card.
For newly eligible families: A new Arizona SUN Bucks card will be mailed to your address. Watch for a plain envelope in the mail beginning in June–July 2026. In most cases, if you have multiple eligible children in the same household, all children’s benefits will be issued on one card.
Step 5 — Activate and Use Your Card
Call the number on the back of your card and set a 4-digit PIN to activate. To replace a lost or damaged card, update your address or request a replacement by calling (833) 648-4406, then visit ebtedge.com or call (888) 997-9333 to order another card. Have your case number ready.
For full activation instructions, see how to activate your SUN Bucks card.
When Do Arizona SUN Bucks Benefits Arrive?
Arizona begins distributing SUN Bucks in June 2026, with distribution continuing through summer. Auto-enrolled children (SNAP/TANF households) receive benefits earliest. Applications approved later in the summer receive benefits on a rolling basis.
Benefits expire 122 days from the date they are issued. Use your Arizona SUN Bucks before they expire — unused funds cannot be recovered.
Where to Use Arizona SUN Bucks
Arizona SUN Bucks work like a standard EBT card at any authorized SNAP retailer:
- Major grocery chains — Fry’s (Kroger), Walmart, Safeway, ALDI, Food City, Sprouts
- Farmers’ markets that accept SNAP/EBT
- Convenience stores with SNAP authorization
- Online grocery ordering at Walmart and Amazon Fresh (where SNAP EBT is accepted)
Arizona SUN Bucks follow the same food rules as SNAP — eligible for most grocery items, not for hot prepared food, alcohol, tobacco, or non-food items.
Arizona also participates in the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), which allows elderly, disabled, and homeless SNAP recipients to use EBT at select fast food restaurants statewide. SUN Bucks are for grocery purchases and are separate from the RMP. See restaurants that accept EBT in Arizona for RMP details.
Does Arizona SUN Bucks Affect SNAP or Other Benefits?
No — SUN Bucks does not reduce your SNAP benefits, affect your immigration status, or impact any other benefits you receive. The $120 per child is entirely additional. Receiving SUN Bucks does not count as income.
Additional Food Resources for Arizona Families
SNAP — If your family doesn’t currently receive SNAP, check eligibility with the food stamp eligibility tool. Apply through Arizona DES at des.az.gov. See SNAP income limits for Arizona.
WIC — Families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, infant, or child under 5 may qualify for WIC. Check Arizona WIC eligibility.
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) — Free hot meals for children 18 and under at community sites. No application or EBT card needed. Find sites at fns.usda.gov/meals/find-sites or dial 211.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for Arizona SUN Bucks?
Children who attend an NSLP or SBP school in Arizona and whose household receives SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or qualifying Medicaid are automatically eligible. Children in households that don’t receive those programs may qualify if household income is at or below 185% FPL — these families must apply at azed.gov by August 3, 2026.
Do I need to apply for Arizona SUN Bucks?
Use the eligibility screener at azed.gov/SUNBucksEligibilityScreener first. If your household receives SNAP, TANF, or qualifying Medicaid and your child attends an NSLP/SBP school, you’re automatically enrolled. Others must apply by August 3, 2026.
When will I receive my Arizona SUN Bucks card?
Distribution begins in June 2026. If you received SUN Bucks in 2025, your 2026 benefit loads to the same card. Newly eligible families receive a new card by mail. Check the balance on your existing card before assuming a new card is coming.
How much is Arizona SUN Bucks?
$120 per eligible school-age child, as a one-time payment. Benefits expire 122 days from the date they are issued.
How do I replace a lost Arizona SUN Bucks card?
Call (833) 648-4406 to update your address, then visit ebtedge.com or call (888) 997-9333 to request a replacement card. Have your case number ready.
What if my child attends a CEP school?
CEP school attendance alone does not automatically qualify your child for SUN Bucks in Arizona. Use the ADE eligibility screener at azed.gov to check. If your household income meets the 185% FPL threshold, you can apply.
For the full Summer EBT program overview and other participating states, see Summer EBT program guide. To check your SNAP eligibility in Arizona, use the EBT benefit calculator.