Georgia does not participate in the SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) program in 2026. Governor Brian Kemp’s administration has declined to participate in the federal Summer EBT program every year since it launched in 2024, leaving an estimated 1.2 million low-income Georgia children without the $120-per-child summer grocery benefit available in 37+ other states.
Does Georgia Have SUN Bucks or Summer EBT?
No — Georgia has opted out of Summer EBT for 2026. The Summer EBT program is voluntary for states, and Georgia’s Governor has chosen not to submit a notice of intent to participate. Georgia joins Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming as non-participating states in 2026.
Georgia’s Congressional delegation — including U.S. Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff and multiple House members — sent letters urging Governor Kemp to participate, citing the 1.2 million eligible children and noting that Georgia’s “Happy Helpings” Summer Food Service Program was absent in 59 of 159 Georgia counties in recent years, leaving many rural counties with limited summer food access. The Governor’s office has not publicly explained its specific reasons for opting out.
Summer Food Assistance Available to Georgia Families
While SUN Bucks is not available, several programs provide food support for Georgia children and families during summer:
1. Georgia SNAP (Food Stamps) — Year-Round Through DFCS
Georgia SNAP benefits continue year-round through the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS). Your monthly food stamp benefits don’t stop or reduce in summer.
Georgia SNAP is called “Food Stamp Program” in Georgia. Applications and case management go through DFCS — not the Department of Education.
- Apply online: gateway.ga.gov
- Phone: 1-877-423-4746 (DFCS Customer Contact Center)
- In person: your local DFCS county office
Use the SNAP benefit eligibility estimator to check if your household qualifies, and see Georgia SNAP income limits for current thresholds. To check your current balance, see how to check your Georgia SNAP balance.
2. Summer Food Service Program — Free Meals at Community Sites
The USDA’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) — called “Happy Helpings” in Georgia — provides free meals to all children 18 and under at community sites during the summer. No EBT card, no application, and no income verification is required at meal sites.
Georgia’s Happy Helpings program operates through the Georgia Department of Education and DFCS. However, as noted above, Happy Helpings sites were absent from 59 of Georgia’s 159 counties in recent years — meaning rural Georgia families may have limited access.
How to find a summer meal site in Georgia:
- Dial 211 — Georgia 211 is available statewide
- Text “FOOD” to 304-304
- Visit gaebn.org (Georgia Electronic Benefits Network)
- Visit fns.usda.gov/meals/find-sites
- Contact your child’s school district — some districts operate their own summer feeding programs independently
3. WIC — For Families With Young Children
Georgia families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, infant, or child under 5 may qualify for WIC. WIC provides monthly food benefits year-round through Georgia’s Department of Public Health WIC Program.
Check WIC eligibility guidelines for Georgia to see if your family qualifies. Georgia WIC offices are located in local county health departments.
4. Georgia Food Banks and Nonprofits
Georgia has multiple major food banks that operate summer programs and free food distributions:
- Atlanta Community Food Bank — covers 29 counties in metro Atlanta; acfb.org
- Golden Harvest Food Bank — Augusta and eastern Georgia; goldenharvest.org
- Feeding the Valley Food Bank — Columbus and west Georgia; feedingthevalley.org
- Second Harvest of South Georgia — Valdosta area; feedingsga.org
- Golden Harvest — Augusta area
- No Kid Hungry Georgia — connects families to summer meal programs; nokidhungry.org/georgia
Dial 211 to find your nearest food bank, pantry, or summer meal program.
5. LIHEAP — Energy Assistance
Georgia SNAP households automatically meet the income requirement for LIHEAP, which helps pay energy bills. Georgia summers are hot and cooling costs are significant. See how to apply for LIHEAP energy assistance for details.
Rural Georgia and the Summer Meal Gap
Georgia’s situation is particularly acute in rural areas. According to Congressional correspondence sent to Governor Kemp’s office, Happy Helpings summer meal sites were absent from 59 of Georgia’s 159 counties — meaning families in rural areas of north Georgia, south Georgia, and the coastal plains have neither SUN Bucks nor Happy Helpings meal sites available. Families in these counties are largely dependent on SNAP, food banks, and church-based food programs during summer.
If you live in a rural Georgia county and need food assistance, calling 211 and contacting your nearest food bank is the most reliable path to local resources.
Will Georgia Join Summer EBT in the Future?
Georgia has declined every year since 2024. Each year, the Governor must notify the USDA by January 1 of intent to participate in the following summer.
Advocacy organizations including Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, No Kid Hungry, and Georgia’s Congressional delegation have continued to push for participation. To urge Georgia to join, contact your state legislators, the Governor’s office (gov.georgia.gov), or organizations like nokidhungry.org/georgia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Georgia have SUN Bucks in 2026?
No — Georgia has not participated in the SUN Bucks Summer EBT program since the program launched in 2024. Approximately 1.2 million eligible Georgia children do not receive the $120-per-child summer benefit available in participating states.
Why doesn’t Georgia participate in Summer EBT?
Governor Kemp’s office has not publicly stated specific reasons. Georgia’s Congressional delegation has requested an explanation and urged participation, noting the 1.2 million eligible children and gaps in the Happy Helpings summer meal program across 59 Georgia counties.
What can Georgia families use instead of SUN Bucks?
Georgia SNAP benefits continue year-round — your benefits don’t stop in summer. The Happy Helpings Summer Food Service Program provides free meals to children at community sites (though coverage gaps exist in rural counties). Local food banks across Georgia also provide free groceries. Dial 211 for local resources.
How do I find a summer meal site in Georgia?
Dial 211, text “FOOD” to 304-304, visit fns.usda.gov/meals/find-sites, or visit gaebn.org. Note that Happy Helpings sites are not available in all 159 Georgia counties — if your county doesn’t have a site, contact your local food bank.
How do I apply for Georgia SNAP?
Apply online at gateway.ga.gov or call DFCS at 1-877-423-4746. See how to apply for food stamps in Georgia for step-by-step guidance.
For the national Summer EBT overview and participating states, see the SUN Bucks program guide. To check your Georgia SNAP eligibility, use the food assistance qualification tool.