SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) benefits of $120 per eligible child are issued between May and September 2026, with most states distributing in June and July. There is no single national deposit date — every state sets its own distribution window, and benefits may arrive as a new EBT card in the mail, a reload onto last year’s Summer EBT card, or a direct deposit to your existing SNAP EBT card.
This guide covers when to expect your Summer EBT deposit by state, how benefits are delivered, and what to do if yours hasn’t arrived.
Summer EBT Benefit Amount 2026
- Most states: $120 per eligible child — one-time payment for the summer
- Hawaii: $189 per child
- U.S. Territories (Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico): $180 per child
Benefits are a one-time lump sum — not monthly payments. Once loaded, funds expire 122 days from the date they are issued. Unused benefits are forfeited after expiration.
Which States Participate in SUN Bucks 2026
More than 37 states, Washington DC, all 5 U.S. territories, and select Tribal nations participate in Summer EBT for 2026. Participating states include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Washington D.C. Iowa is joining Summer EBT for the first time in 2026.
States NOT currently participating: Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah.
Summer EBT Deposit Dates by State — 2026
Summer EBT benefits will generally be available in late May or early June 2026. Exact windows vary by state:
| State | Deposit Window | Delivery Method |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | June–July 2026 | New card mailed |
| Arizona | June–August 2026 | Existing SNAP/TANF card or new card |
| Arkansas | May–June 2026 | Last year’s Summer EBT card |
| California | June–September 2026 | New card mailed (alphabetical order) |
| Colorado | May–June 2026 | Last year’s Summer EBT card |
| Connecticut | June–July 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Delaware | June–July 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Hawaii | June–July 2026 | New card mailed ($189/child) |
| Illinois | June–August 2026 | Existing SNAP/TANF card or new card |
| Iowa | June–August 2026 | New card mailed (first year participating) |
| Kansas | June–July 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Kentucky | June–August 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Louisiana | June–July 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Maine | June–August 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Maryland | June–July 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Massachusetts | May–June 2026 | Last year’s Summer EBT card |
| Michigan | June–August 2026 | New card mailed |
| Minnesota | June–July 2026 | New card mailed |
| Missouri | June–August 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Montana | June–July 2026 | New card mailed |
| Nebraska | June–July 2026 | New card mailed |
| Nevada | June–August 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| New Hampshire | May–June 2026 | Last year’s Summer EBT card |
| New Jersey | June–July 2026 | New card mailed |
| New Mexico | June 15 2026 (first wave) | Last year’s Summer EBT card |
| New York | May–June 2026 | Last year’s Summer EBT card |
| North Carolina | June–August 2026 | New card mailed |
| North Dakota | June–July 2026 | New card mailed |
| Ohio | June–August 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Oregon | June–August 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Pennsylvania | Late May–September 2026 | Existing SNAP/TANF card or new card |
| Rhode Island | June–July 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Vermont | June–July 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Virginia | June–August 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Washington | June–August 2026 | New card mailed |
| West Virginia | June–August 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Wisconsin | June–August 2026 | Existing SNAP card or new card |
| Wyoming | Pending federal approval | TBD |
| Washington DC | June 2026 (most auto-enrolled) | Existing SNAP card or new card |
Exact dates within these windows are not always published in advance. Benefits are distributed on a rolling basis — not all households in a state receive benefits on the same day. State-specific dates are updated as states publish their schedules.
Three Ways States Deliver Summer EBT
There are three different ways you might get your Summer EBT deposit, depending on your state:
Method 1 — New Card Mailed to You
Expect a new Summer EBT card if you live in Alabama, California, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, or Washington. If your state mails new cards, watch for a plain white envelope in your mailbox. Do not throw it away — the card must be activated before you can use it. For activation steps, see how to activate your Summer EBT card.
Method 2 — Benefits Loaded Onto Last Year’s Card
Your Summer EBT deposits will go to last year’s Summer EBT card if you live in Arkansas, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, or New York. If you still have last year’s card, check your balance — don’t wait for a new card to arrive. If you no longer have the old card, contact your state’s Summer EBT hotline to request a replacement.
Method 3 — Direct Deposit to Your SNAP EBT Card
Some states add Summer EBT benefits directly to your household’s existing SNAP or TANF EBT card. If this is how your state delivers benefits, no new card will arrive — just watch for an increased balance when you check your SNAP card. If you receive SUN Bucks in addition to regular active SNAP benefits on your household EBT card, SUN Bucks will be used automatically before your SNAP benefits since they expire first.
Who Qualifies for Summer EBT 2026
Your child qualifies if any one of the following is true:
- Your household receives SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or Medicaid (in Medicaid expansion states)
- Your child is approved for free or reduced-price school meals (income at or below 185% FPL)
- Your child attends a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school — all students at CEP schools qualify automatically
- Your child is identified as homeless, migrant, runaway, or in foster care
Most eligible children are automatically enrolled — no application needed. Some children must apply, particularly those who attend private schools, are homeschooled, or live in households that don’t receive SNAP or Medicaid.
Application deadlines for 2026 range from August 2 to September 8 depending on the state. Check your state’s Summer EBT website for the deadline in your area.
What to Do if Your SUN Bucks Haven’t Arrived
If you believe your child is eligible and benefits haven’t arrived by mid-summer:
Step 1 — Confirm your delivery method Check your state’s row in the table above. If your state uses last year’s card, check that card’s balance before assuming a new card is coming.
Step 2 — Check your mailing address Benefits and cards are mailed to the address on file with your child’s school or SNAP office. If you’ve moved, update your address immediately — contact your SNAP office and your child’s school.
Step 3 — Check your SNAP card balance If your state deposits directly to your SNAP card, a new card won’t come — check your existing EBT balance for the additional Summer EBT deposit.
Step 4 — Contact your state’s Summer EBT hotline Call your state’s Summer EBT or SUN Bucks hotline to confirm your child’s eligibility and the status of your benefit issuance. For EBT card issues, call the number on the back of your card — see EBT customer service numbers by state.
How to Check Your SUN Bucks Balance
After benefits load, check your Summer EBT balance:
- Call the number on the back of the card — automated 24/7 balance check
- ebtEDGE app — add your Summer EBT card to monitor balance and transactions
- ebtedge.com — online balance access for most states
- At the register — balance prints on your receipt after each purchase
For the full balance checking guide, see Summer EBT balance check.
Summer EBT Expiration — Use Benefits Before They Expire
Benefits expire 122 days from the date they are loaded. This applies in most states. Once expired, Summer EBT funds cannot be recovered or reissued. Know your expiration date — it’s typically printed on your award notice or available in your state’s Summer EBT portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do SUN Bucks deposit?
SUN Bucks deposit between May and September 2026 depending on your state. Most states distribute in June and July. Check the state-by-state table above for your state’s window.
How do I know if Summer EBT is on my SNAP card or a new card?
Check the delivery method column in the table above for your state. If your state deposits to your existing SNAP card, watch for an increased balance. If your state mails new cards or reloads last year’s card, no new card will come for states in the “existing SNAP card” category.
How much are SUN Bucks 2026?
$120 per eligible child in most states. Hawaii receives $189 per child. U.S. territories receive $180 per child.
Do Summer EBT benefits expire?
Yes — in most states, Summer EBT benefits expire 122 days (about 4 months) from the date they are issued. Unused benefits cannot be recovered after expiration.
Do I need to apply for SUN Bucks?
Most children are automatically enrolled if their household receives SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, or if the child receives free or reduced-price school meals. Some children must apply — particularly those not enrolled in NSLP schools or households that don’t receive benefits. Application deadlines vary by state.
Can I use Summer EBT online?
Most states restrict Summer EBT to in-person purchases only. Some states allow online grocery orders through platforms like Amazon Fresh or Walmart — check your state’s Summer EBT rules to confirm.
For the complete guide to Summer EBT including eligibility, how to apply, and where to use benefits, see Summer EBT program overview. To activate your card once it arrives, see how to activate a SUN Bucks card. To check your SNAP eligibility, use the food stamp calculator.