North Carolina SUN Bucks provides $120 per eligible child for summer grocery purchases, administered by the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) in partnership with the NC Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI). The first round of benefits became available June 1, 2026, serving more than 1 million North Carolina children in the initial issuance. The application deadline is August 15, 2026.
North Carolina’s SUN Bucks is part of a broader suite called NC SUN Programs — three interconnected summer nutrition programs for kids, making North Carolina one of the more integrated state summer nutrition systems.
North Carolina SUN Bucks 2026 — Key Facts
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Benefit amount | $120 per eligible child (one-time payment) |
| State agency | NCDHHS + NC DPI |
| Official page | ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks |
| Eligibility quiz | ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks (interactive eligibility quiz) |
| Apply online | ncdhhs.gov/sunbucksapplication |
| Apply by phone | 1-866-719-0141 → select language → option 2 |
| Apply by email | DCFW.SunBucks@dhhs.nc.gov |
| Apply by mail | NC DHHS, Division of Child and Family Well-Being, Food and Nutrition Services Section, Attn: SUN Bucks, 2416 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2416 |
| Application deadline | August 15, 2026 |
| Card replacement | 1-866-719-0141 → select language → option 1 |
| First issuance | June 1, 2026 (first round — auto-enrolled) |
| Children served (June 1 issuance) | 1 million+ |
| Card delivery | New SUN Bucks card mailed for all recipients |
| Benefits expire | 122 days from issue date |
| NC SNAP called | FNS (Food and Nutrition Services) |
| NC TANF called | Work First |
| EBCI tribal pathway | Available through CTFDP (see below) |
NC SUN Programs — North Carolina’s Three-Program Summer Framework
North Carolina brands its summer nutrition work as NC SUN Programs — a suite of three programs that work together:
- SUN Bucks — the $120 grocery EBT benefit (this program)
- SUN Meals — free hot meals at community sites for all children 18 and under (the Summer Food Service Program / SFSP)
- SUN Farm — connecting North Carolina families to locally grown produce through farm partnerships and Double Up Food Bucks
This three-program framework is unique to North Carolina in this series. NC DPI’s press release frames SUN Bucks as one of three “NC Summer Nutrition (SUN) Programs for Kids.” Families using all three can maximize their summer food access: SUN Bucks for grocery purchases, SUN Meals for free hot meals at community sites, and SUN Farm for fresh local produce.
Who Qualifies for North Carolina SUN Bucks
Automatically Enrolled — No Application Needed
Your child automatically qualifies for SUN Bucks — and does NOT need to apply — if any of the following apply:
Approved for free or reduced-price meals through an NSLP or CEP school application: If your child’s school submitted an approved Free and Reduced Price (FRP) meal application, they are automatically enrolled. Important: Since 2023, North Carolina funds reduced-price meals at no cost to students — meaning NC students who qualify for reduced-price meals also receive them free, thanks to state funding. This encourages more families to complete the FRP application.
Ages 7–16 during the school year AND receives any of:
- FNS (Food and Nutrition Services — NC’s name for SNAP)
- Work First (North Carolina’s TANF/cash assistance program)
- Medicaid with household income below 185% FPL
- FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations)
Returned SUN Bucks recipient: Your child completed a SUN Bucks application during the prior summer period between July 1 – August 31, was approved, and is enrolled again in an NSLP or CEP school for the 2025–2026 school year — no new application required.
CEP school families — important distinction: CEP school attendance alone does NOT automatically qualify. However, children at CEP schools may still be automatically eligible if they participate in FNS, Work First, Medicaid, or FDPIR. Use the interactive eligibility quiz at ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks to confirm.
Must Apply — Non-Auto-Enrolled Families
For children who do not automatically qualify but may be eligible, NCDHHS will send an email, text message, or automated call to families with instructions on how to apply.
Apply by August 15, 2026 through any of the methods listed in the key facts table above.
North Carolina SUN Bucks Income Limits 2026
For families applying based on income (not auto-enrolled through FNS/Work First/Medicaid or school meal approval):
| 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. Confirm current thresholds at ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks.
How to Apply for North Carolina SUN Bucks
Step 1 — Use the Interactive Eligibility Quiz
Before applying, visit ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks and use the interactive eligibility quiz. This quiz determines in a few questions whether your child automatically qualifies (no application needed) or whether you need to submit an application.
Step 2 — Apply If the Quiz Says You Should
North Carolina offers four application methods:
Online: Apply at ncdhhs.gov/sunbucksapplication
By phone: Call 1-866-719-0141, select your language, and then press option 2 to speak with a SUN Bucks customer service representative who can help you apply over the phone
By email: Download the paper application in English or Spanish from ncdhhs.gov/sunbucksapplication and email the completed form to DCFW.SunBucks@dhhs.nc.gov
By mail: Mail to: NC DHHS, Division of Child and Family Well-Being, Food and Nutrition Services Section, Attn: SUN Bucks, 2416 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2416
You can also request that an application be mailed or emailed to you by contacting NCDHHS.
Step 3 — What You’ll Need
- Child’s name, date of birth, and North Carolina school
- FNS, Work First, or Medicaid case number (if applicable)
- Household size and monthly gross income (if applying based on income)
- Mailing address for the SUN Bucks card
Step 4 — Deadline
August 15, 2026 is the final day to apply. No issuances can be provided for summer 2026 after this date.
Address Updates for North Carolina SUN Bucks
North Carolina has a specific address update process that varies depending on your benefit status:
- If you receive FNS, Work First, or Medicaid: Contact your county caseworker to update your address
- If you do not receive those benefits: Contact your child’s school to update the address on file
Keeping your address current is essential — a SUN Bucks card will be mailed to the mailing address on file. Cards cannot be forwarded.
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) — Tribal Pathway
North Carolina has a unique tribal-specific eligibility pathway for members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). If you are a member of EBCI and are wondering about your child’s eligibility through CTFDP (Cherokee Tribal Food Distribution Program) or need to change your contact information or update your address, please contact your caseworker or Tribe office by March 31. After March 31, contact the NC EBT Call Center at 1-866-719-0141, select your language, then option 2.
The EBCI tribal pathway through CTFDP is explicitly named on NCDHHS’s SUN Bucks page — unique to North Carolina in this series.
North Carolina’s “1 in 6 Children” Context
1 in 6 North Carolina children live in households without consistent access to food — cited directly in the NCDHHS June 1 press release. North Carolina’s food insecurity rate is above the national average, particularly in rural eastern and western counties. The June 1 issuance reaching over 1 million children in a single round reflects the scale of the program’s reach in the state.
Where to Use North Carolina SUN Bucks
North Carolina SUN Bucks work at any authorized SNAP retailer statewide:
- Major grocery chains — Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Walmart, Aldi, Publix, Lowes Foods, Ingles Markets, Lidl, Piggly Wiggly (Eastern NC), Compare Foods (urban areas)
- Farmers’ markets that accept EBT — NC participates in Double Up Food Bucks at many markets
- Convenience stores with SNAP authorization
- Online grocery ordering at Walmart and Amazon Fresh where EBT is accepted
North Carolina SUN Bucks follow SNAP food rules — eligible for most groceries; not for hot food, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, or non-food items. See the SNAP-eligible food guide for the complete list.
Additional Resources for North Carolina Families
NC SNAP (FNS — Food and Nutrition Services): Apply through NC DHHS or your county DSS. Check North Carolina SNAP income limits and see how to apply for food stamps in North Carolina.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check North Carolina WIC income eligibility.
SUN Meals / SFSP: Free hot meals for all children 18 and under at community sites. Part of the NC SUN Programs framework. Dial 211 (NC 211) or visit fns.usda.gov/meals/find-sites.
SUN Farm: North Carolina’s produce-focused summer nutrition program linking families to local farms. Part of the NC SUN Programs suite.
LIHEAP: North Carolina SNAP households automatically meet LIHEAP income requirements. See energy assistance eligibility in North Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for North Carolina SUN Bucks?
Children approved for free or reduced-price school meals through an FRP application at an NSLP or CEP school are automatically enrolled. Children ages 7–16 who receive FNS (SNAP), Work First (TANF), qualifying Medicaid, or FDPIR are also auto-enrolled. Prior-year SUN Bucks recipients re-enrolled in NSLP or CEP schools for 2025–2026 don’t need to reapply.
What is FNS in North Carolina?
FNS stands for Food and Nutrition Services — North Carolina’s name for SNAP (food stamps). FNS recipients are automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks alongside Work First (TANF) households.
What is Work First in North Carolina?
Work First is North Carolina’s TANF/cash assistance program, administered by NCDHHS. Households receiving Work First are automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks.
How many children did North Carolina’s June 1 issuance serve?
Over 1 million children received SUN Bucks in the first round of 2026 issuances, which began June 1.
What are the NC SUN Programs?
NC SUN Programs are North Carolina’s three-program summer nutrition framework: SUN Bucks ($120 grocery benefit), SUN Meals (free hot meals at community sites), and SUN Farm (produce partnerships and Double Up Food Bucks). Together, they provide a comprehensive summer nutrition system.
Does my CEP school child automatically qualify?
Not automatically through CEP status alone. Check the interactive eligibility quiz at ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks. CEP school children who also receive FNS, Work First, or qualifying Medicaid are auto-enrolled.
For the complete Summer EBT national overview, see the SUN Bucks program guide. To check your North Carolina SNAP eligibility, use the food assistance eligibility estimator.