Maryland SUN Bucks is one of the few states that distributes the $120 benefit as three separate monthly payments of $40 — in June, July, and August — rather than a single lump sum. The program is administered by the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) in partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
Students aged 5–18 enrolled in Maryland FARMS schools who receive SNAP, TCA (Maryland’s TANF), or Medicaid are automatically enrolled. Others may apply at dhs.maryland.gov/sunbucks by August 31, 2026.
In [current_year-2] (2024), Maryland distributed over $72 million to more than 605,000 students — a 6-fold increase from the year before.
Maryland SUN Bucks 2026 — Key Facts
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Benefit amount | $40/month for June, July, August = $120 total per student |
| Payment structure | Three monthly payments — NOT a lump sum (unique to Maryland) |
| State agency | Maryland DHS + Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) |
| Official page | dhs.maryland.gov/sunbucks |
| Apply online | dhs.maryland.gov/sunbucks (myMDThink portal for CEP families) |
| Application deadline | August 31, 2026 |
| DHS phone | 1-800-332-6347 (select Maryland SUN Bucks option) |
| Enrollment notice | DHS sends auto-enrolled families a notice by end of June |
| Issuance dates | Last week of June, July, and August 2026 |
| Maryland EBT card name | Maryland Independence Card (SNAP/TCA households); white “Maryland SUN Bucks” card (others) |
| Benefits expire | 122 days from issue date; cannot be reissued |
| Maryland SNAP called | Food Supplement Program; EBT card = Maryland Independence Card |
| Maryland TANF called | TCA (Temporary Cash Assistance) |
| Maryland free/reduced meals called | FARMS (Free and Reduced-Price Meals) |
Maryland’s $40/Month Payment Structure — Why It’s Different
Most states issue SUN Bucks as a single $120 lump sum. Maryland issues $40 per eligible student per month for three months — June, July, and August — deposited in the last week of each month.
This structure means:
- You receive three separate $40 deposits, not one $120 payment
- If your SNAP card shows only $40 in SUN Bucks in June, that’s correct — another $40 comes in July and August
- Each $40 deposit has its own 122-day expiration clock — plan to spend each month’s deposit before it expires
Who Qualifies for Maryland SUN Bucks
Maryland uses “FARMS” (Free and Reduced-Price Meals) as its core eligibility concept. All pathways require enrollment in a Maryland school that participates in the FARMS program.
Automatically Enrolled — No Application Needed
Your student is automatically enrolled if they are ages 5–18 and enrolled in a Maryland FARMS school, AND any of the following:
- Household receives SNAP (Food Supplement Program) — deposits go to the Maryland Independence Card
- Household receives TCA (Temporary Cash Assistance — Maryland’s TANF) — also deposits to the Maryland Independence Card
- Child receives Medical Assistance/Medicaid (MA) — separate white Maryland SUN Bucks card mailed in child’s name
- Applied for and enrolled in FARMS or SBP during the 2025–2026 school year — separate white SUN Bucks card mailed
- Child is in foster care — separate white SUN Bucks card mailed
- Child is homeless, runaway, or a child of a migrant worker — separate white SUN Bucks card mailed
Auto-enrolled families receive an enrollment notice from DHS by the end of June 2026.
Must Apply — CEP School Families and Others
CEP school families without SNAP/TCA/Medicaid: A child enrolled in a Community Eligibility Program (CEP) school — where all students receive free meals automatically — who is not actively receiving SNAP, TCA, or Medicaid, and is not in foster care, is not automatically enrolled. The parent or guardian must apply at dhs.maryland.gov/sunbucks and be determined eligible for FARMS.
Other income-eligible families: Children who do not meet any of the automatic criteria may still apply for Maryland SUN Bucks by August 31, 2026 and be determined eligible for FARMS.
Maryland SUN Bucks Income Limits 2026
For families applying based on income (FARMS eligibility):
| 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 (free and reduced-price meals threshold). Confirm exact thresholds at dhs.maryland.gov/sunbucks.
How Maryland Delivers SUN Bucks — Two Card Types
Maryland uses two different delivery methods depending on your benefit status:
Maryland Independence Card (existing SNAP/TCA cardholders): SNAP and TCA households receive the $40 monthly SUN Bucks deposits directly on their existing Maryland Independence Card — Maryland’s branded EBT card. No new card is mailed.
White “Maryland SUN Bucks” card (all other auto-enrolled students): Students auto-enrolled through Medicaid, FARMS school meals, foster care, or homelessness/migrant status receive a separate white Maryland SUN Bucks card issued in the child’s name. This card is mailed to the address on file. If a student has multiple eligible children, each child may receive their own white card.
If you receive Maryland SUN Bucks in addition to SNAP on an existing card: Maryland SUN Bucks are spent first before your regular SNAP benefits when you swipe at checkout — because SUN Bucks expire first.
To update your mailing address: Call 1-800-332-6347 and select the Maryland SUN Bucks option, or visit your local Department of Social Services.
How to Apply for Maryland SUN Bucks
Step 1 — Confirm Auto-Enrollment
If your household receives SNAP, TCA, or Medicaid, and your child is enrolled in a Maryland FARMS school, you are automatically enrolled. Watch for an enrollment notice from DHS by end of June. Benefits will appear in the last week of June.
Step 2 — Apply at dhs.maryland.gov/sunbucks (If Not Auto-Enrolled)
CEP school families and other income-eligible families apply at dhs.maryland.gov/sunbucks. The application is processed through the myMDThink portal — Maryland’s benefits management system.
Call 1-800-332-6347 (select the Maryland SUN Bucks option) for help with applications or eligibility questions. Maryland DHS also offers a chatbot on the SUN Bucks page for quick questions.
Step 3 — What You’ll Need
- Child’s name, date of birth, and Maryland school
- School year 2025–2026 school enrollment and FARMS status
- Household size and monthly gross income
- SNAP, TCA, or Medicaid case number (if applicable)
- Mailing address — especially important for the white SUN Bucks card
Step 4 — Deadline
August 31, 2026 is the final deadline to apply. Applications received after this date are not considered for 2026 benefits.
When Does Maryland Issue SUN Bucks?
Maryland issues SUN Bucks in the last week of each month — June, July, and August 2026:
- Last week of June: First $40 deposit
- Last week of July: Second $40 deposit
- Last week of August: Third $40 deposit (completing the $120 total)
Each deposit is separate. Families approved through applications receive their first deposit in the last week of the month their application is approved.
Maryland SUN Bucks at Farmers’ Markets
Maryland EBT — including both the Independence Card and the Maryland SUN Bucks card — is accepted at farmers’ markets across the state. Maryland participates in Market Money programs at select farmers’ markets that provide additional purchasing power for fresh produce for EBT cardholders.
Find participating markets at Maryland farmers’ market directories or through your local county extension office.
Where to Use Maryland SUN Bucks
Maryland SUN Bucks work at any authorized SNAP retailer statewide:
- Major grocery chains — Giant Food, Safeway, Harris Teeter, Wegmans, Weis Markets, Aldi, Walmart, Target
- Farmers’ markets that accept EBT (Market Money participants for extra value)
- Convenience stores with SNAP authorization
- Online grocery ordering at Amazon and Walmart where EBT is accepted
Maryland SUN Bucks follow SNAP food rules — eligible for most groceries; not for hot food, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, or non-food items.
Additional Resources for Maryland Families
Maryland SNAP (Food Supplement Program): Apply through myMDThink at mymdthink.maryland.gov or call 1-800-332-6347. Check Maryland SNAP income limits and see how to apply for food assistance in Maryland.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check WIC eligibility in Maryland.
SUN Meals / SFSP: Free hot meals for all children 18 and under at community sites. Dial 211 or visit fns.usda.gov/meals/find-sites.
LIHEAP: Maryland SNAP households automatically meet LIHEAP income requirements. See energy assistance eligibility in Maryland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for Maryland SUN Bucks?
Students ages 5–18 enrolled in a Maryland FARMS school who receive SNAP, TCA, or Medicaid are automatically enrolled. Students enrolled in FARMS or SBP during the 2025–2026 school year, and foster/homeless/migrant children, are also auto-enrolled. CEP school families without those programs, and other income-eligible families, must apply at dhs.maryland.gov/sunbucks by August 31.
Why does Maryland pay $40 instead of $120 all at once?
Maryland distributes the $120 SUN Bucks total as three separate $40 monthly payments — June, July, and August. This is Maryland’s chosen distribution structure and differs from most other states, which issue the full $120 as a lump sum.
Will I get a new card or do benefits go on my existing SNAP card?
SNAP and TCA households receive the $40 monthly deposits directly on their existing Maryland Independence Card. Other auto-enrolled students (Medicaid, FARMS meals, foster care) receive a separate white Maryland SUN Bucks card issued in the child’s name by mail.
My child attends a CEP school — do they qualify automatically?
Not automatically if they don’t receive SNAP, TCA, or Medicaid. CEP school families without those benefits must apply at dhs.maryland.gov/sunbucks.
When do Maryland SUN Bucks benefits arrive each month?
Benefits are deposited in the last week of June, July, and August. If your first deposit hasn’t appeared by the end of June, call 1-800-332-6347 and select the Maryland SUN Bucks option.
For the complete national Summer EBT overview, see the SUN Bucks program guide. To check your Maryland SNAP eligibility, use the food benefit eligibility tool.