Ohio SUN Bucks provides $120 per eligible school-age child for summer grocery purchases, administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) in partnership with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW). Benefits are distributed throughout June 2026 for auto-enrolled children, with a final application deadline of August 14, 2026.
Ohio has a distinctive card delivery system: SNAP families receive their SUN Bucks on their Ohio Direction Card on their regularly scheduled monthly SNAP distribution date — not a separate card or a separate date. This is unique in the series.
Ohio SUN Bucks 2026 — Key Facts
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Benefit amount | $120 per eligible child (one-time payment) |
| State agencies | Ohio ODJFS + Ohio ODEW |
| Official portal | sebt.ohio.gov |
| Apply online | sebt.ohio.gov/apply |
| Application deadline | August 14, 2026 |
| Phone (ODJFS) | 1-866-244-0071 |
| Phone (ODEW / application help) | 866-244-0071 → option 1 |
| Email support | support@ohiosunbucks.org |
| SUN Bucks card replacement | 1-866-386-3071 |
| Auto-enrolled issuance | By July 31, 2026 |
| SNAP issuance method | Loaded on Ohio Direction Card on regular SNAP distribution date |
| Non-SNAP card | SUN Bucks card mailed in plain white envelope |
| Returning 2025 card recipients | Benefits loaded onto same card as 2025 |
| Benefits expire | 122 days from issue date |
| Ohio SNAP called | SNAP (Ohio Direction Card) |
| Ohio TANF called | OWF (Ohio Works First) |
| Eligibility tool | sebt.ohio.gov (income eligibility checker, application status, funds availability tools) |
| Homeschooled/virtual students | NOT eligible through the application |
Ohio’s Unique SNAP Card Delivery Method
Ohio has the most integrated card delivery system in this series:
For SNAP households: SUN Bucks benefits are loaded onto the Ohio Direction Card (Ohio’s EBT card) on the household’s regularly scheduled monthly SNAP distribution date. This means:
- If your SNAP benefits load on the 5th of the month, your SUN Bucks will also load on the 5th
- No new card arrives — watch for an increased Ohio Direction Card balance in June
- If you received 2025 SUN Bucks and you’re on SNAP, 2026 benefits also go to your Direction Card
For OWF (Ohio Works First/TANF) families not on SNAP: Benefits are loaded onto a SUN Bucks card. If your household received 2025 Summer EBT/SUN Bucks benefits, 2026 benefits will load onto the same card. If your child has never received Summer EBT, a new card is mailed in a plain white envelope.
For Medicaid-only families and school meal-approved children: A SUN Bucks card is mailed to your address in a plain white envelope. Watch all mail carefully — open any plain white envelope that could be a benefits card.
Ohio’s SNAP Distribution Date Integration
Ohio is the only state in this series that explicitly ties SUN Bucks issuance to the household’s regular SNAP distribution date. This is important because:
- Ohio’s SNAP distribution schedule varies by case number — some households receive SNAP on the 1st, some on the 5th, 10th, or later in the month
- If you typically receive SNAP on the 20th, your SUN Bucks load on the 20th — not June 1
- All auto-enrolled children will have received their benefits by July 31, 2026
If you believe you should have received SUN Bucks automatically but haven’t by July 31, contact ODJFS at 1-866-244-0071.
Who Qualifies for Ohio SUN Bucks
Automatically Enrolled — No Application Needed
Children ages 6–18 who participate in one or more of the following programs (on or after July 1, 2025) are automatically enrolled:
- SNAP — household must participate in Ohio’s SNAP program (Ohio Direction Card)
- OWF (Ohio Works First — Ohio’s TANF program)
- Medicaid — household income must qualify the child for free or reduced-price school meals
Children of any age enrolled in a school participating in the National School Lunch Program who are approved for free or reduced-price meals for school year 2025–2026 are also automatically enrolled.
Must Apply — Income-Eligible NSLP Families
Families who need to apply are specifically those who:
- Their student attended an NSLP school in 2025–2026, AND
- The student was NOT automatically approved through SNAP, OWF, or Medicaid, AND
- The student was NOT already approved for free or reduced-price meals in 2025–2026
Ohio’s official application explicitly states: do not fill out an application if your student has been on SNAP, OWF, Medicaid with qualifying income, or is already approved for free or reduced-price meals. Ohio routes only a narrow group through the application — most eligible families are auto-enrolled.
Apply at sebt.ohio.gov/apply by August 14, 2026.
Who Is NOT Eligible Through Ohio’s Application
Ohio specifically states that homeschooled students and fully virtual students are NOT eligible through the application — only students who physically attended an Ohio NSLP school in 2025–2026 can apply. If your child is homeschooled but receives SNAP, OWF, or qualifying Medicaid, they may still be auto-enrolled through those programs.
Ohio SUN Bucks Income Limits 2026
For families applying based on household income (free or reduced-price meal 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. Confirm thresholds at sebt.ohio.gov.
How to Apply for Ohio SUN Bucks
Step 1 — Confirm You Need to Apply
Visit sebt.ohio.gov/apply and use the eligibility screening questions. Ohio’s application page walks you through whether you need to apply or whether your child is already auto-enrolled.
Do NOT apply if:
- Your student was on SNAP, OWF, or qualifying Medicaid as of July 1, 2025
- Your student was already approved for free or reduced-price meals in 2025–2026
- Your student is homeschooled or fully virtual
Step 2 — Apply Online at sebt.ohio.gov/apply
If the screening confirms you need to apply:
Online: Apply at sebt.ohio.gov/apply — fast and can be done in a few minutes
By phone: Call 866-244-0071 → option 1 (ODEW/application support)
By email: Contact support@ohiosunbucks.org for assistance
Paper application: Contact ODEW by phone or email to request a paper application
Step 3 — What You’ll Need
- Student’s name, date of birth, and Ohio school
- School name and confirmation the school participates in NSLP
- Household size and gross income
- Confirmation that the student did NOT receive SNAP, OWF, Medicaid or free/reduced meals in 2025–2026 (confirms you’re in the right applicant category)
Step 4 — Application Deadline
August 14, 2026 — Ohio’s final application deadline. Applications must be submitted by midnight.
Ohio’s Three Online Tools at sebt.ohio.gov
Ohio’s SEBT portal offers three specific self-service tools:
- Income Eligibility Checker — determine eligibility before applying based on household income and size
- Application Status Tracker — view the status of a submitted application
- Funds Availability Lookup — check when issued benefits will be available
These three tools together provide the most comprehensive self-service portal in this series.
Ohio’s OWF Program
Ohio calls its TANF cash assistance program OWF — Ohio Works First. OWF households are automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks alongside SNAP households. OWF children who don’t also receive SNAP receive a separate SUN Bucks card rather than having benefits loaded onto the Ohio Direction Card.
Where to Use Ohio SUN Bucks
Ohio SUN Bucks work at any SNAP-authorized retailer statewide:
- Major grocery chains — Kroger, Giant Eagle, Aldi, Marc’s, Meijer, Walmart, Save-A-Lot, Heinen’s, Dorothy Lane Market
- Farmers’ markets that accept SNAP/EBT — Ohio has active EBT farmers’ market programs
- Convenience stores with SNAP authorization
- Online grocery ordering at Walmart and Amazon Fresh where EBT is accepted
Ohio 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 grocery guide for the complete list.
Additional Resources for Ohio Families
Ohio SNAP: Apply through ODJFS at benefits.ohio.gov or contact your county Job and Family Services office. Check Ohio SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in Ohio.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check Ohio WIC income eligibility.
SUN Meals / SFSP: Free hot meals for all children 18 and under at community sites. Dial 211 (Ohio 211) or visit fns.usda.gov/meals/find-sites.
HEAP (Ohio LIHEAP): Ohio calls its LIHEAP program “HEAP” — Home Energy Assistance Program — administered by ODJFS. Ohio SNAP households automatically meet HEAP income requirements. See LIHEAP energy assistance eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for Ohio SUN Bucks?
Children ages 6–18 who receive SNAP, OWF, or qualifying Medicaid (on or after July 1, 2025) are automatically enrolled. Children of any age approved for free or reduced-price meals at NSLP schools for 2025–2026 are also auto-enrolled. Others may apply at sebt.ohio.gov/apply if their child attended an NSLP school and the household meets the income guidelines. Homeschooled and fully virtual students are not eligible through the application.
How are Ohio SUN Bucks delivered for SNAP families?
For SNAP households, benefits are loaded onto the Ohio Direction Card on the household’s regularly scheduled monthly SNAP distribution date — not on a separate date. Watch for an increased balance on your Direction Card in June.
What is OWF in Ohio?
OWF stands for Ohio Works First — Ohio’s TANF/cash assistance program administered by ODJFS. OWF households are automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks alongside SNAP households.
When do Ohio SUN Bucks arrive?
All auto-enrolled children should receive benefits by July 31, 2026. SNAP households receive them on their regular SNAP distribution date in June. OWF and non-SNAP card recipients receive a card mailed in a plain white envelope.
Can homeschooled children get Ohio SUN Bucks?
Not through the application — Ohio’s application specifically excludes homeschooled and fully virtual students. However, if a homeschooled child’s household receives SNAP, OWF, or qualifying Medicaid, they may still be automatically enrolled through those programs.
How do I replace a lost SUN Bucks card?
Call 1-866-386-3071 for SUN Bucks card replacement. For Ohio Direction Card replacement (SNAP), call 1-866-244-0071.
For the complete Summer EBT national overview, see the SUN Bucks program guide. To check your Ohio SNAP eligibility, use the food benefit eligibility tool.