Texas does not participate in the SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) program in 2026. Texas has never participated in Summer EBT since the program launched in 2024 — making Texas the largest non-participating state by far, with the most children affected of any state on this list.
Texas has the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the United States, yet has declined Summer EBT funding for three consecutive summers. However, there is significant news for future years: Texas’s state budget included $60 million for HHSC to administer Summer EBT beginning in 2027 — meaning Texas may become a participating state next summer, pending federal approval and program design.
Does Texas Have SUN Bucks or Summer EBT?
No — Texas has never participated in Summer EBT since the program launched in 2024. Texas is among twelve non-participating states in 2026, joining Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming.
The legislative situation for 2026: Anti-hunger advocates had held out hope Texas could get the program off the ground for summer 2026 even after missing the January 1 deadline. Feeding Texas said Texas lawmakers had until a spring 2026 deadline to allocate funding to launch the program this year, but it did not happen. Members across the political spectrum in the Texas Legislature support the program, but not enough support materialized to get it over the finish line for 2026.
Major Development: Texas Budgeted $60 Million for Summer EBT in 2027
This is the most significant Texas-specific news in this series:
Tucked inside Texas’s $338 billion state budget is a $60 million addition for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to administer the Summer EBT program — beginning in 2027.
States must pay 50% of administrative costs to participate in Summer EBT. That $60 million investment could draw approximately $400 million in federal dollars to Texas — one of the largest potential Summer EBT investments of any state.
HHSC would design and manage the program; it would collaborate with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) — which manages federal agriculture dollars that fund school lunches.
The caveat: Ongoing talks at the federal level about changes to food benefit programs could potentially affect Texas’s participation. And the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s cost-sharing expansion for states could affect the calculus. Texas families should monitor HHSC announcements in late 2026 / early 2026 for program launch details.
If Texas participates in 2027 as budgeted, it would be the largest single addition of children to the Summer EBT program in the program’s history.
The Scale of Texas’s Non-Participation
Texas is the largest non-participating state by every measure:
- Texas has the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the U.S.
- More children would qualify for Summer EBT in Texas than in most other non-participating states combined
- In 2024, the Summer Food Service Program served 12 million summer meals (snacks and lunches) to Texas children at 4,480 sites statewide at a cost of $46.1 million — showing significant existing infrastructure that Summer EBT would complement
Summer Food Assistance Available to Texas Families in 2026
1. Texas SNAP (Lone Star Card) — Year-Round Through HHSC
Texas SNAP benefits continue year-round through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Texas calls its EBT card the Lone Star Card — Texas’s branded name for its EBT card.
- Apply online: yourtexasbenefits.com (Your Texas Benefits portal)
- Phone: 2-1-1 (Texas 211 is also the SNAP referral line)
- In person: your local HHSC benefits office
Check Texas SNAP income limits and use the food stamp eligibility calculator to confirm your eligibility. See how to apply for SNAP in Texas for step-by-step guidance.
2. Summer Food Service Program — Free Meals at 4,480+ Texas Sites
The USDA’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is already large in Texas — 12 million meals served in 2024 at 4,480 sites statewide. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) coordinates SFSP in Texas, working with schools, cities, and community groups.
All children 18 and under receive free meals at approved sites. No application, no EBT card, and no income verification is needed at the meal site.
How to find a summer meal site in Texas:
- Dial 2-1-1 — Texas 211 is available statewide 24/7
- Text “FOOD” to 304-304
- Visit fns.usda.gov/meals/find-sites
- Visit the Texas Hunger Initiative at txhunger.org for site directories
3. WIC — For Families With Young Children
Texas families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, infant, or child under 5 may qualify for WIC administered through Texas DSHS. Check Texas WIC income eligibility to see if your family qualifies.
4. Texas Food Banks
Texas has an extensive food bank network:
- Houston Food Bank — the largest food bank in the U.S. by food distribution; houstonfoodbank.org
- North Texas Food Bank — Dallas-Fort Worth area; ntfb.org
- San Antonio Food Bank — cafb.net
- Central Texas Food Bank — Austin area; centraltexasfoodbank.org
- Feeding Texas — statewide food bank network and advocacy; feedingtexas.org
Dial 211 for the nearest food pantry or food bank in your area.
5. Tribal SFSP Programs
Texas has several federally recognized tribal nations including the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, Kickapoo Traditional Tribe, and Tigua (Ysleta del Sur Pueblo) who operate summer food programs on their respective tribal lands. Contact your tribal nation’s social services office for summer food resources.
6. LIHEAP — Energy Assistance
Texas SNAP households automatically meet LIHEAP income requirements. Texas summers are extremely hot and cooling costs significant. See energy assistance eligibility in Texas for how to apply.
Why Texas Hasn’t Participated — And What Changed for 2027
Texas has consistently cited the state administrative cost requirement as the primary barrier. States must pay 50% of administrative costs to participate in Summer EBT — in Texas’s case, this is significant given the program scale. Texas HHSC would need substantial administrative infrastructure to manage benefits for potentially millions of Texas children.
The $60 million budget allocation represents the Texas Legislature acknowledging these costs and beginning to build toward participation. Texas Tribune reporting from June 2025 documents how the $60 million was embedded in the state budget and the multi-agency collaboration (HHSC + TEA + TDA) that would be required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Texas have SUN Bucks in 2026?
No — Texas has never participated in the SUN Bucks Summer EBT program since it launched in 2024. Texas is the largest non-participating state by population and food insecurity.
Will Texas have Summer EBT in 2027?
Texas’s state budget includes $60 million for HHSC to administer Summer EBT beginning in 2027. If the program launches as planned, Texas would become one of the largest Summer EBT programs in the country. Monitor HHSC announcements at hhs.texas.gov for program launch details.
What is the Lone Star Card?
The Lone Star Card is Texas’s branded EBT card for SNAP and other benefits. Texas SNAP is administered by HHSC. Apply at yourtexasbenefits.com.
What summer food help is available in Texas?
Texas SNAP (Lone Star Card) continues year-round. The Summer Food Service Program provided 12 million free meals at 4,480 Texas sites in 2024 — no EBT card or income check needed. Texas food banks including the Houston Food Bank and North Texas Food Bank provide free groceries. Dial 211 for local resources.
Why did Texas miss the Summer EBT deadline for 2026?
Texas missed the January 1, 2026 USDA deadline for 2026 participation, and advocacy groups’ push for a spring 2026 legislative allocation also fell short of the votes needed. The 2026 (2027) budget allocation provides a path to future participation.
For the national Summer EBT overview and participating states, see the SUN Bucks program guide. To check your Texas SNAP eligibility, use the EBT eligibility estimator.