Washington SUN Bucks provides $120 per eligible school-age child for summer grocery purchases, administered by the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). Nearly 550,000 Washington children received SUN Bucks in 2025. Washington issues new SUN Bucks cards to all enrolled children in 2026 — returning recipients also receive a new card, and DSHS plans to reuse these 2026 cards in future summers.
Washington calls its SNAP program Basic Food and issues benefits on the standard Washington EBT card. SUN Bucks, however, are issued on a separate dedicated SUN Bucks card — not added to the Basic Food card.
Washington SUN Bucks 2026 — Key Facts
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Benefit amount | $120 per eligible child (one-time payment; may adjust annually for inflation) |
| State agency | Washington DSHS |
| Official page | dshs.wa.gov/sunbucks |
| Apply online | dshs.wa.gov/sunbucks (application link) |
| Apply by mail | DSHS Customer Service Center, P.O. Box 11669, Tacoma, WA 98411-6699 |
| SUN Bucks Contact Center | 833-543-3230 (TTY: 800-833-6348), M–F 8 AM–5 PM (except observed holidays) |
| Card type | Dedicated white SUN Bucks card — separate from Basic Food (SNAP) EBT card |
| 2026 card policy | New card issued to all enrolled children — returning recipients also get a new card |
| Future reuse | DSHS plans to reuse these new 2026 cards in future summers |
| Card arrival | 7–10 business days after approval letter |
| Income guidelines update | Revised July 1, 2026; eligibility based on limits at date of application |
| No documentation required | Application uses self-attestation; no documents needed upfront |
| Random audit | 3% of households selected for income verification |
| Benefits expire | 122 days from issue date; spend SUN Bucks BEFORE Basic Food |
| Children served (2025) | ~550,000 |
| Washington SNAP called | Basic Food |
Washington’s 2026 Card Policy — New Card for Everyone
All enrolled children receive a new SUN Bucks card in 2026 — even families who had a SUN Bucks card in 2025. This is different from prior years and differs from states like Montana or Minnesota where cards are reused immediately.
Why new cards this year: DSHS is issuing new 2026 cards as the baseline for its multi-year card reuse plan. Once you receive your 2026 card, store it in a safe place — DSHS plans to reload this same card in future summers rather than issuing new ones annually.
If you kept a prior-year SUN Bucks card, it will not be reloaded in 2026 — you will receive a new card.
Who Qualifies for Washington SUN Bucks
Washington determines eligibility on a per-child basis — meaning some children in a family may qualify while others don’t, particularly if children are of different ages or attend different schools.
Use the eligibility screening tool at dshs.wa.gov/sunbucks to check eligibility for each child individually.
Automatically Enrolled — No Application Needed
Your child is automatically enrolled if they receive any of the following:
- Basic Food (Washington’s SNAP program)
- TANF (cash assistance)
- Medicaid (Apple Health in Washington) at qualifying income levels
- Free or reduced-price school meals through an NSLP or SBP application during 2025–2026
- Foster care, homeless, or migrant student status as identified by their school
Must Apply — Income-Eligible Families
Families not auto-enrolled may apply if household income meets the 185% FPL guidelines and the child attends an NSLP school.
Washington’s important income note: Income limits increase on July 1, 2026 with the new federal poverty level update. Eligibility is determined based on the income limits in place on the date of application — not the July 1 limits if you apply before July 1, and not the prior limits if you apply after July 1.
Washington SUN Bucks Income Limits 2026
Income guidelines are revised July 1 each year. The limits below reflect the pre-July 1 guidelines; confirm the current guidelines at dshs.wa.gov/sunbucks at the time you apply:
| 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 — these limits increase on July 1, 2026. Apply before or after July 1 to get the most favorable limits for your situation. Confirm current limits at dshs.wa.gov/sunbucks.
Washington Basic Food context: Washington’s SNAP (Basic Food) program uses 200% FPL with no asset test for most households — making Basic Food more accessible than SUN Bucks’s 185% FPL threshold. Basic Food enrollment auto-qualifies for SUN Bucks. See Washington SNAP income limits for the full Basic Food picture.
How to Apply for Washington SUN Bucks
Step 1 — Use the Eligibility Screening Tool
Visit dshs.wa.gov/sunbucks and use the eligibility screening tool to check each child’s status individually. Because eligibility is determined per child, checking each one separately helps identify who is auto-enrolled and who may need an application.
Step 2 — Apply Online or by Mail (If Needed)
Online: Apply at dshs.wa.gov/sunbucks
By mail: Download the paper application and mail to: DSHS Customer Service Center, P.O. Box 11669, Tacoma, WA 98411-6699
Paper applications are available in additional languages under Form 14-554.
Step 3 — No Documentation Required Upfront
Washington’s SUN Bucks application does not ask for documentation or verification of eligibility upfront. It uses a self-attestation statement that must be signed by an adult household member. However, 3% of households are randomly selected for income auditing — if selected, you’ll need to provide proof of qualifying income.
Step 4 — Update Your Mailing Address
DSHS strongly encourages families to update their mailing address with both:
- Their TANF or SNAP (Basic Food) department
- The school(s) their child attends
Cards are mailed to whichever address is on file — at DSHS, at the child’s school, or on the application. A wrong address means a missed card.
To update your address: call the SUN Bucks Contact Center at 833-543-3230 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM, excluding observed holidays).
Step 5 — Receive Approval and Card
Once eligible, DSHS mails an approval letter. The SUN Bucks card arrives separately, approximately 7–10 business days after the approval letter. Cards are white and specifically branded as SUN Bucks.
Sign Up for SUN Bucks Text Alerts
Washington DSHS offers a text alert sign-up for SUN Bucks updates — including benefit details, important reminders, and answers to questions. Sign up at dshs.wa.gov/sunbucks.
This opt-in text alert system is unique to Washington in this series; no other state has a comparable official DSHS text alert service for SUN Bucks.
Washington’s “Basic Food” SNAP and SUN Bucks Relationship
Washington calls its SNAP program Basic Food — one of the distinctive state SNAP names in this series. Families receiving Basic Food are automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks, but SUN Bucks benefits are NOT added to the Basic Food EBT card. They are issued on a separate white SUN Bucks card.
Additionally: spend SUN Bucks before your Basic Food benefits — SUN Bucks expire 122 days from the date of issuance, while Basic Food benefits have no such expiration window. SUN Bucks benefits are automatically used first at checkout where both cards would apply, but since they’re on separate cards, make sure to use the SUN Bucks card at grocery checkout before reaching for your Basic Food card.
Washington Apple Health — Washington’s Medicaid program is called Apple Health. Income-qualifying Apple Health enrollment may trigger SUN Bucks auto-enrollment.
Outreach Toolkit — For Community Partners
Washington DSHS makes a full outreach toolkit available to community organizations, including digital flyers, social media graphics, and template emails. The toolkit is available at dshs.wa.gov/sunbucks. Washington is one of the most community-partner-focused states in this series for SUN Bucks outreach.
Where to Use Washington SUN Bucks
Washington SUN Bucks work at any authorized SNAP retailer nationwide — a specific note from DSHS: “SUN Bucks cards can be used at any authorized retailers nationwide where EBT is accepted.” This confirms out-of-state use if Washington families travel during summer.
Major Washington retailers:
- Major grocery chains — Fred Meyer (Kroger’s PNW banner), Safeway, QFC (Quality Food Centers — Kroger), WinCo Foods, Haggen, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Walmart, Costco
- Farmers’ markets that accept SNAP/EBT — Washington has extensive EBT farmers’ market access
- Online grocery ordering at Walmart and Amazon Fresh where EBT is accepted
Washington SUN Bucks follow SNAP food rules — eligible for most groceries; not for hot food, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, or non-food items. Washington has no state-specific SNAP food restrictions. See the SNAP food eligibility guide for what qualifies.
Additional Resources for Washington Families
Washington Basic Food (SNAP): Apply through DSHS at dshs.wa.gov/basic-food or call Washington Connection at 877-501-2233. Check Washington SNAP income limits and see how to apply for Basic Food in Washington.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check Washington WIC income eligibility.
SUN Meals / SFSP: Free hot meals for all children 18 and under at community sites. Dial 211 (Washington 211) or visit fns.usda.gov/meals/find-sites.
LIHEAP: Washington Basic Food households automatically meet LIHEAP income requirements. See LIHEAP energy assistance in Washington.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for Washington SUN Bucks?
School-age children who receive Basic Food, TANF, qualifying Apple Health (Medicaid), or were approved for free or reduced-price school meals through NSLP during 2025–2026 are automatically enrolled. Foster, homeless, and migrant students are also auto-enrolled. Others may apply at dshs.wa.gov/sunbucks if household income is at or below 185% FPL.
Does Washington SUN Bucks go on my Basic Food EBT card?
No — SUN Bucks are issued on a separate white SUN Bucks card, not on your Basic Food EBT card. Make sure to use your SUN Bucks card first at checkout, as those benefits expire in 122 days.
Will I get a new card if I had one in 2025?
Yes — all enrolled children receive a new SUN Bucks card in 2026, even returning recipients. DSHS is issuing new cards in 2026 as the baseline for its multi-year card reuse plan. Store your 2026 card safely — DSHS plans to reload it in future summers.
What is Basic Food in Washington?
Basic Food is Washington’s name for SNAP (food stamps), administered by DSHS. Basic Food enrollment automatically qualifies a child for SUN Bucks, but the two programs use separate cards.
What is Apple Health?
Apple Health is Washington’s Medicaid program. Income-qualifying Apple Health enrollment may trigger automatic SUN Bucks enrollment.
Are income limits the same before and after July 1?
No — income limits increase on July 1, 2026 based on the annual FPL update. Eligibility is determined based on the limits in effect on the date you apply. Apply before July 1 to use current limits; apply after July 1 to use the updated (typically higher) limits.
For the complete Summer EBT national overview, see the SUN Bucks program guide. To check your Washington SNAP eligibility, use the food assistance eligibility tool.