Hawaii SUN Bucks provides $189 per eligible school-age child for summer groceries — higher than the $120 benefit in most states, reflecting Hawaii’s elevated cost of living. The program is administered by the Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education (DOE).
Most SNAP and TANF households are automatically enrolled. The 2026 SUN Bucks program operates from May 29 through August 2, 2026.
Hawaii SUN Bucks 2026 — Key Facts
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Benefit amount | $189 per eligible child (higher than national $120) |
| Program period | May 29 – August 2, 2026 |
| Who administers it | Hawaii DHS + Hawaiʻi Department of Education (DOE) |
| Official website | sunbucks.dhs.hawaii.gov |
| SUN Bucks Customer Service | 1-888-975-SEBT (1-888-975-7328) |
| EBT card replacement | (888) 328-4292 |
| Benefits deposit | June 2026 (delayed from original schedule) |
| Benefits expire | 122 days from issue date |
| Card delivery | Existing card reloaded for prior recipients; new SUN Bucks card mailed in child’s name for new recipients |
| Card issued in | Child’s name — meant to travel with the child between households |
| Languages supported | English, Spanish, Chinese, Chuukese, Hawaiian, Ilocano, Korean, Marshallese, Samoan, Tagalog, Tongan, Vietnamese |
Why Hawaii Receives $189 — Not $120
Hawaii SUN Bucks benefits are set higher than the national standard to account for Hawaii’s significantly elevated cost of living and food prices. Groceries in Hawaii typically cost 30–50% more than the continental U.S. average, and the federal program uses the higher Hawaii Federal Poverty Level for calculations. The $189 amount is consistent across all participating islands — Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai.
Who Qualifies for Hawaii SUN Bucks
Hawaii uses the term “keiki” (the Hawaiian word for child) throughout its SUN Bucks program materials. Eligibility must be established annually — unlike some states where prior-year enrollment automatically carries forward.
Automatically Enrolled — No Application Needed
Your child is automatically enrolled if:
- Household received SNAP or TANF in any month from July 1, 2025 through August 2, 2026
- Child was approved for free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program at their school
- Child is a ward of the state (foster child) or was identified by their school as homeless, migrant, or runaway
- Head Start or pre-K students who attended a program participating in the NSLP at their NSLP school
Must Apply — If Not Auto-Enrolled
The following households must complete a SUN Bucks application:
- CEP school families without SNAP/TANF — children attending Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools where all meals are free who were not approved for free or reduced-price meals AND do not receive SNAP or TANF
- Income-qualifying households without SNAP — households attending NSLP schools whose income meets the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines but who were not approved for free/reduced-price meals
Returning applicants from 2025: Households approved for Summer 2025 benefits between July 1 and August 3, 2025 do NOT need to submit a new application for 2026 — the previous application will be used automatically.
Apply at sunbucks.dhs.hawaii.gov or call 1-888-975-7328 if unsure whether to apply.
Special Note: Homeschool Families
Homeschool households cannot qualify for SUN Bucks using household income alone. Homeschool families may qualify only if they:
- Received or receive SNAP or TANF during the qualifying period (July 1, 2025 through August 2, 2026)
- Have a foster child enrolled in the program
Hawaii SUN Bucks Income Limits 2026
For families applying based on income (not auto-enrolled through SNAP/TANF), household income must meet the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines for free and reduced-price school meals — 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Hawaii uses a higher FPL than the contiguous 48 states. The income limits below are the Hawaii-specific 185% FPL figures:
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit | Annual Gross Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,583 | $30,992 |
| 2 | $3,493 | $41,912 |
| 3 | $4,403 | $52,832 |
| 4 | $5,313 | $63,752 |
| 5 | $6,223 | $74,672 |
| 6 | $7,133 | $85,592 |
| 7 | $8,043 | $96,512 |
| 8 | $8,953 | $107,432 |
| Each additional | +$910/month | +$10,920/year |
Hawaii uses a higher Federal Poverty Level than the 48 contiguous states. These figures are approximate — confirm exact thresholds at sunbucks.dhs.hawaii.gov.
How to Apply for Hawaii SUN Bucks
Step 1 — Check Auto-Enrollment First
If your household receives SNAP or TANF, or your child was approved for free/reduced-price school meals, you do not need to apply. Call 1-888-975-7328 if unsure.
Step 2 — Apply Online at sunbucks.dhs.hawaii.gov
The online application is the primary method. Visit sunbucks.dhs.hawaii.gov and complete the application for your child. You can also track your application status online using the tracking number you receive after submitting.
Step 3 — Paper Application (Available August 4)
Paper applications are available if you cannot apply online. Contact the SUN Bucks Customer Service line at 1-888-975-7328 to request a paper application.
Step 4 — What You’ll Need
- Child’s name, date of birth, and school name
- School year 2025–2026 school information
- Household size and monthly gross income
- SNAP or TANF case number (if applicable)
- Your child’s current mailing address — the card is issued in the child’s name and mailed to the address of the parent or guardian listed in the school’s records
How Hawaii Delivers SUN Bucks — The Card Is in the Child’s Name
Hawaii has a uniquely important rule: the SUN Bucks EBT card is issued in the child’s name, not the parent’s or guardian’s name. Hawaii DHS states this is intentional — the card is meant to travel with the child between households (important in cases where children split time between parents or guardians).
Card delivery:
- Returning recipients (auto-enrolled): Benefits loaded to the existing SUN Bucks card. Benefits were available starting June 2026 (delayed from the original May 27 date due to technical challenges — check sunbucks.dhs.hawaii.gov for current status).
- New recipients: A new SUN Bucks-branded EBT card with the $189 benefit is mailed to the child’s primary mailing address on file with the school. New cards began mailing the week of May 11, 2026.
Address: The card is mailed to the address of the parent or guardian listed as the primary contact in the child’s school records — not necessarily the SNAP case address. Update your child’s address with their school if you have moved.
When Do Hawaii SUN Bucks Benefits Arrive?
The SUN Bucks Program operates from May 29 through August 2, 2026. Benefits issuance was delayed due to technical challenges — first issuance is tentatively in June 2026. Check sunbucks.dhs.hawaii.gov for current status updates.
Benefits expire 122 days from the date they are loaded. The program period ends August 2 — plan your shopping to use benefits before they expire.
Where to Use Hawaii SUN Bucks
Hawaii SUN Bucks work at any SNAP-authorized retailer in Hawaii:
- Major grocery chains — Foodland, Times Supermarkets, Safeway, Don Quijote, KTA Super Stores (Hawaii Island), Walmart Hawaii, Costco Hawaii, Whole Foods (Kahala)
- Farmers’ markets that accept SNAP/EBT — Hawaii has active farmers’ markets on all major islands that participate in SNAP
- Convenience stores with SNAP authorization
- Online grocery ordering at Walmart and Amazon Fresh where SNAP EBT is accepted
Hawaii SUN Bucks follow SNAP food rules — eligible for most groceries; not for hot prepared food, alcohol, tobacco, or non-food items.
Multilingual Resources
Hawaii’s SUN Bucks program publishes FAQs and materials in 11 languages beyond English, reflecting the state’s extraordinary linguistic diversity: Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Chuukese, Hawaiian, Ilocano, Korean, Marshallese, Samoan, Tagalog, Tongan, and Vietnamese. Multilingual support is available at 1-888-975-7328.
Additional Resources for Hawaii Families
Hawaii SNAP (food stamps): Hawaii’s SNAP program is administered by DHS. Check your Hawaii SNAP balance or see how to apply for SNAP in Hawaii.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check WIC income guidelines for Hawaii.
Summer meals: Free hot meals for all children 18 and under at community sites across Hawaii’s islands. Find sites at fns.usda.gov/meals/find-sites or dial 211.
LIHEAP: Hawaii SNAP households automatically meet LIHEAP income requirements. While Hawaii’s primary energy assistance concern is cooling rather than heating, LIHEAP covers utility costs. See the LIHEAP eligibility and application guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Hawaii get $189 instead of $120?
Hawaii’s SUN Bucks benefit is set higher than the national $120 to account for Hawaii’s significantly higher cost of living and food prices. The higher Hawaii Federal Poverty Level and higher food costs both contribute to the elevated benefit amount.
Who qualifies for Hawaii SUN Bucks?
School-age children in households that received SNAP or TANF from July 1, 2025 through August 2, 2026, or whose free/reduced-price school meal application was approved, are automatically enrolled. Foster, homeless, migrant, and runaway children are also auto-enrolled. Families not auto-enrolled through those programs may apply at sunbucks.dhs.hawaii.gov if household income meets the guidelines.
Do I need to apply every year in Hawaii?
Yes — Hawaii requires eligibility to be established annually. However, households approved between July 1 and August 3, 2025 do not need to reapply for 2026 — the previous application is used. SNAP and TANF households are automatically re-enrolled based on current benefit status.
Why is the SUN Bucks card in my child’s name?
Hawaii issues the card in the child’s name so it can travel with the child between households — this is especially relevant for children who split time between parents or guardians. The card is mailed to the primary contact address listed in the school’s records.
Can homeschooled children in Hawaii get SUN Bucks?
Only if the household receives or received SNAP or TANF during the qualifying period, or if there is a foster child in the household. Homeschool households cannot qualify using income alone.
For the full Summer EBT national program overview, see the SUN Bucks program guide. To check your SNAP eligibility in Hawaii, use the EBT qualification estimator.