SUN Bucks | State of Hawaii Department of Human Services Updates
SUN Bucks
Eligibility
School-aged children are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks if:
-The child was in a household that participated in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in any month from July 1, 2024, through August 3, 2025
-The child has been identified as a ward of the state (foster child), or identified by their school as homeless, migrant, or runaway
-The child attended a school that offers the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and the household applied for and was approved for free or reduced-price school meals.
-Exceptions to the school-aged requirement are Head Start and/or other pre-K students that attended a program that participated in the NSLP at their NSLP participating school.
The following households would need to complete a SUN Bucks application starting April 1, 2025, through August 3, 2025:
-Households with children attending a school operating the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) where all meals are free to all students, who did not apply for or was not approved for free or reduced-price school meals and who have household income that falls at or below the limits of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.
-Households with children attending a school operating NSLP who were not approved for free or reduced-price meals during the school year but may be eligible now because their household income falls at or below the limits of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines see the full FAQ for more information.
Applications available at: https://sunbucks.dhs.hawaii.gov/
Hours
April 1, 2025 - August 3, 2025 Applications accepted
May 31, 2025 - August 3, 2025 SUN Bucks 2025 program
(888) 975-7328
Voice
Application process
By Phone
Visit the website to apply or download a paper application. Click the "Contact us" link on the website to ask questions like if you should apply.
(Summer EBT) Summer EBT, also called SUN Bucks, is a new and permanent program to provide benefits to households with school-aged children to purchase food during the summer. Households will receive $177 for each qualifying child, to be spent during the summer months. Eligibility must be established annually.
The SUN Bucks Program for Summer 2025 operating period will be from May 31, 2025 through August 3, 2025.
When will SUN Bucks expire?
Unused benefits expire 122 days after the date benefits are issued. Please use the benefit within that time frame. Once expired, the benefit cannot be reloaded.
Visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the website for more information.
For children who automatically qualify, the SUN Bucks EBT card with the $177 benefit already loaded will be mailed out by FIS starting the week of May 19th via USPS. Households should anticipate that it may take 1-2 weeks for delivery. Cards are sent to the mailing address based on the child’s school records, or the household's mailing address per their SNAP or TANF case if the household participates or has participated in those programs.
If families believe we may have incorrect mailing information, if any children in your household were missing from their eligibility notification, or if you have any questions about the online application process, then they should contact the SUN Bucks Customer Service toll-free at (888) 975-7328.
What's Here
Providing organization
State of Hawaii Department of Human Services - Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division