Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (Summer-EBT/SUN Bucks) provides grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children who lose access to free or reduced-price school meals when schools are closed for the summer.
A one-time summer benefit amount of $120 will be issued to each eligible child on a SUN Bucks card. Benefit cards will be mailed to eligible students at the address we have on file in Infinite Campus.
The card can be used to purchase eligible food items at any store (in-person or online) that accepts SNAP. Please note, SUN Bucks benefits must be used within 122 days from the day the benefits were added to your SUN Bucks account. Any benefits remaining on the card after 122 days will expire.
Who Qualifies?
Students enrolled at a physical CUSD campus that:
1. Are enrolled for at least one instructional school day between July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025
2. And meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
- Be certified free or reduced-price eligible for the NSLP or
- Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Medicaid and meeting the federal income eligibility guidelines for free or reduced-price meals
- Foster
- Participating in the federal Head Start Program
Special provision schools (Community Eligibility Provision "CEP")
If my child's school serves all free meals, will they automatically get SUN Bucks? No. This is different from Pandemic EBT (P-EBT). In order to be eligible for SUN Bucks benefits, children must be individually determined to be eligible for free or reduced-price school meals during the instructional year immediately preceding the summer operational period or during the summer. Please see the above criteria.
Not sure you qualify?
If you have questions about your CUSD student’s eligibility status, please contact:
Enriqueta Quintero
Free and Reduced Program/Account Technician
480-812-7261
quintero.enriqueta@cusd80.com
Receiving Benefits
A one-time summer benefit amount of $120 will be issued to each eligible child on a SUN Bucks card. Benefit cards will be mailed to eligible children at the address provided by the school beginning in early July. Once mailed, it may take a few weeks to reach your address. Please confirm your mailing address with:
Enriqueta Quintero
Free and Reduced Program/Account Technician
480-812-7261
quintero.enriqueta@cusd80.com
Once SUN Bucks benefits have been issued, households will receive a letter, similar to the ones linked below, from DES:
To check your SUN Bucks card balance, change your PIN, or to request a replacement EBT card call 1-888-997-9333.
To set up the PIN for your EBT card call 1-888-997-9333. You will need the 16-digit card number you received, the date of birth of the person named on the card, and the 8-digit case number on the letter from DES.
For additional information please go to the Arizona Department of Economic Security’s Nutrition Assistance webpage or call 1-888-997-9333.
For More Information:
Summer EBT hotline/phone number: 833-648-4406
Summer EBT email address: SUNBucks@azed.gov
Please contact the Arizona Department of Economic Security’s Nutrition Assistance Customer Service Team at 1-888-997-9333 if you have questions about any of the following:
- Activating your card
- Checking card balances
- Changing your PIN
- Reporting a lost, stolen or damaged card
- Requesting a replacement card
If you have questions about your child’s eligibility status, the address where your card was mailed, or the date of birth listed for your child you can contact CUSD Food and Nutrition:
Enriqueta Quintero
Free and Reduced Program/Account Technician
480-812-7261
quintero.enriqueta@cusd80.com
