SUN Bucks: Pennsylvania’s Summer EBT program

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is currently issuing 2025 SUN Bucks benefits to families. They should finish by 8/31/2025 with final wrap-up of this year’s program by 9/30/2025. 

Families may be more likely to contact their schools with questions during this time. Schools cannot answer families’ specific SUN Bucks benefit questions. However, we are reaching out to review the things schools can do to help families get the answers/resources they need. This information can also be found on the SUN Bucks School Helpdesk webpage (for schools only).

Please read the following guidelines and the attachment in their entirety. Make sure all staff at your school who field questions from parents/guardians about SUN Bucks have this information.

1.      Families should contact DHS with their specific SUN Bucks benefit questions at 877-395-8930 or 215-560-7226 if they live in Philadelphia. (The schools, School Helpdesk, and PDE can’t assist them).

2.      Families can also contact their County Assistance Offices with SUN Bucks questions.

3.      Schools should contact the SUN Bucks School Helpdesk with all SUN Bucks school-related questions: 800-683-5100 or [email protected] or via the School Portal at https://www.pasebt.com/.

4.      2025-SUN-Bucks-Family-Scenario-Guide-for-Schools.pdf (attached). Schools should use this to share with families the steps needed to resolve their eight most common questions:

a.      Where DHS issues their benefits

b.      Lost SUN Bucks cards

c.      Benefit sent to a different address

d.      Can’t reach DHS on the statewide phone number

e.      Can’t activate the SUN Bucks card

f.        Benefits were expunged (this occurs 4 months from issuance date)

g.       DHS says the child’s DOB or address doesn’t match school data

h.      Is my child eligible or do we need to apply for SUN Bucks?

5.         Schools should keep other important SUN Bucks information on hand when fielding questions:

a.      SUN Bucks cards should be retained by families for future benefits.

b.      Students are automatically eligible for 2025 SUN Bucks if any of the following is true:

·   Attended an NSLP school in 24-25 SY and is Directly Certified (meaning receives SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid with qualifying income) any time between 7/1/2024 – 8/31/2025.

·   Attended an NSLP school in 24-25 SY and is eligible for free/reduced-price school meals due to a household meal application or by being in other eligible categories (homeless, foster, migrant, runaway, Head Start) any time between 7/1/2024 – 8/31/2025.

·   Attended a non-NSLP school but received SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid with qualifying income any time between 7/1/2024-8/31/2025 and are of compulsory age (6-18 years old).

c.      Families of children who are not automatically eligible for 2025 SUN Bucks should visit the DHS SUN Bucks webpage to (1) use the Eligibility Navigator tool to see if their child is eligible or if they should apply for the benefit, and (2) to fill out a SUN Bucks application if needed. They must hurry! SUN Bucks applications for 2025 must be submitted by 8/31/2025.

Thank you,

SUN Bucks School Helpdesk

800-683-5100

[email protected]

https://www.pasebt.com/