DHS to Issue SUN Bucks Benefits Week of June 15
CRANSTON, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) today announced the upcoming issuance of SUN Bucks benefits for Rhode Island children for summer 2026.
DHS will disburse the first issuance of a one-time benefit of $120 per eligible child the week of June 15 to help ensure continued access to nutritious meals during the summer months. If you anticipate receiving a benefit and do not receive one, please apply through the RI DHS website. The Sun Bucks application remains open on the RI DHS website throughout the summer with a deadline of September 2, 2026.
Also known as Summer EBT, SUN Bucks is a food nutrition program designed to help close the meal gap for children from low-income households who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Eligible children include those who:
Are between the ages of 6–18 and are part of a household receiving SNAP, Rhode Island Works, or Medicaid benefits (with income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level);
Are classified as foster children, homeless, migrants, Head Start participants, or runaways;
Attend a school participating in the NSLP or School Breakfast Program (SBP) and qualify for free or reduced-price meals through an application;
Attend a school participating in the NSLP or SBP where meals are offered at no cost to all students and are determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals through an alternate income form;
Attend a school participating in the NSLP/SBP school and meet income requirements (at or below 185% of the federal poverty level) based on a submitted online or paper SUN Bucks application).
Not sure if you are eligible? Visit https://www.summerebt.org/states/rhode-island#Welcome to complete the eligibility quiz and find out if your child may be eligible.
Approximately 102,428 children in Rhode Island are expected to be eligible in 2026, with total benefits amounting to $12.3 million in federal funding.
Enrollment and Distribution of SUN Bucks
Some children will be enrolled automatically. Those ages 6–18 who are currently receiving SNAP, RI Works, or Medicaid (within income limits), or who live in a household where a child is receiving these benefits, will automatically receive SUN Bucks on their existing EBT card starting the week of June 15.
In addition, families who submitted a school meal application or alternate income form to their school and were determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals will also automatically receive SUN Bucks, issued to a dedicated SUN Bucks EBT card.
Families who believe they are eligible but are not automatically enrolled can complete an online or paper application. To qualify, their child must attend an NSLP/SBP-participating school, and the household income must be at, or below, 185% of the federal poverty level. To learn more about these details view additional information here: https://dhs.ri.gov/programs-and-services/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/supplemental-nutrition-0.
Timeline for Benefits
Week of June 15, 2026: Benefits will be loaded to existing EBT cards for children in qualifying SNAP, RI Works, or Medicaid households.
Refreshed benefits for 2026 will be issued to the card for returning families who received a SUN Bucks card last year.
For those expecting a card in the mail please note that U.S. Postal Service requires that your child’s full name or first initial and full last name appear on the outside or inside the lid of your mailbox.
SUN Bucks Application
Families not enrolled through the automated process may apply online or by submitting a paper application. Applications for the summer 2026 benefits are currently open and will remain available through September 2, 2026. However, application reviews and benefit issuance will begin only after the current school year ends, as SUN Bucks benefits are provided exclusively during the summer months.
For more information, including eligibility guidelines and access to application materials, visit the official SUN Bucks page on the RI DHS website: https://dhs.ri.gov/programs-and-services/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/sun-bucks.
“Today’s announcement marks an important annual continuation of the SUN Bucks food nutrition program,” said DHS Director Kimberly Merolla-Brito. “We know that a healthy and nutritious diet is key to the developmental success of our children. This program helps ensure access to these critical resources.”
“While school is out during the summer, we know that hunger does not pause for families with the greatest needs who rely on school meals for healthy food,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “The SUN Bucks program provides additional support to help families stretch their food budgets and maintain access to nutritious meals during the summer months, so children can continue growing and thriving.”
Families of children already receiving free or reduced-price meals are eligible to receive SUN Bucks benefits. To update your address or to ensure SUN Bucks are issued, you can fill out the application on the DHS website https://dhs.ri.gov/programs-and-services/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/sun-bucks. Funds will be issued either to the household’s existing EBT card or to a dedicated SUN Bucks card mailed to the address on file with the child’s school. Each eligible child will receive a separate benefit.
Households that believe they are eligible but have not received the benefit are encouraged to apply using the online or paper SUN Bucks application. DHS has partnered with United Way’s 211 to provide support and answer questions about the program.
For more information, visit the official SUN Bucks page on the RI DHS website: https://dhs.ri.gov/programs-and-services/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/sun-bucks
