Summer EBT — also known as SUN Bucks — is a federally funded program that may provide eligible school-age children in New Jersey with grocery benefits loaded onto an EBT card during the summer months when school cafeteria meals are no longer available. For families already stretched thin between June and August, this program may help bridge a real nutrition gap. Here is what New Jersey families should understand about how the program works, who may be eligible, and what steps to take before summer arrives.
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Data Snapshot
The Summer EBT program was made permanent under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 — a significant shift from the temporary pandemic-era food benefit programs that preceded it. In its first full national rollout (summer 2024), the USDA Food and Nutrition Service reported that more than 21 million children across participating states and territories received Summer EBT benefits. Each eligible child received up to $120 in grocery benefits for the summer period, structured as approximately $40 per month for June, July, and August. New Jersey was among the states that opted into the program for 2024 and has continued participation.
For context on scale: the USDA's Summer EBT program page notes that participating states collectively served children at a rate that substantially exceeded prior summer food demonstration programs. For 2026, specific benefit amounts and final state participation details remain subject to federal appropriations and state agency confirmation, but the program's income eligibility structure continues to mirror the thresholds used for the National School Lunch Program.
Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Service — https://www.fns.usda.gov/sebt/summer-ebt
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What Is Summer EBT (SUN Bucks)?
Summer EBT is not the same as the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), though it operates through a familiar mechanism. Benefits are loaded onto an EBT card — either a new card issued specifically for Summer EBT or, in some cases, added to an existing SNAP EBT card — and can be used to purchase eligible food items at authorized grocery stores and retailers.
The program targets school-age children (typically kindergarten through 12th grade) whose families meet income requirements. It is administered at the state level by the New Jersey Department of Human Services in coordination with the state's school nutrition infrastructure, which means the exact rollout timeline, application process, and communication approach in New Jersey may differ from other participating states.
One important distinction: Summer EBT is a grocery benefit, not a meal delivery or food pantry program. Families use the EBT card independently at stores they already shop at, which preserves flexibility and dignity of choice.
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Who May Be Eligible in New Jersey
Income Thresholds
Eligibility for Summer EBT is based on the same income guidelines used for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP):
- Free meals tier: Households at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
- Reduced-price meals tier: Households between 130% and 185% of FPL
Children who qualify for either free or reduced-price school meals are generally the target population for Summer EBT. Benefit amounts may vary depending on which income tier a household falls into — confirm the specific structure with the New Jersey Department of Human Services or your child's school district nutrition office, as state-level implementation details can shift year to year.
Children Who May Be Automatically Identified
One of the program's design goals is to reduce barriers by automatically identifying children who are already connected to qualifying programs. Children who may be identified without a separate Summer EBT application include:
- Children in households already receiving SNAP benefits
- Children in households receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Children enrolled in Medicaid where direct certification agreements are in place
- Children whose families submitted a household income application to their school and were approved for free or reduced-price meals
Automatic identification does not guarantee automatic delivery. Families may still need to confirm or update mailing addresses to ensure an EBT card is issued and reaches the right household. If your contact information has changed since the school year began, update it with both your child's school and the state agency before spring.
Children Who May Need to Apply Separately
If your child attends a school that participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) — a federal option that allows high-poverty schools to serve all students free meals without collecting individual household income applications — your household may still need to submit a separate income application to establish Summer EBT eligibility. CEP schools do not collect individual household income data, which means the state cannot automatically verify your family's income tier.
Contact your child's school nutrition office or the New Jersey Department of Human Services to find out whether a separate application is required for your situation. Do not assume that because your child receives free meals at a CEP school, Summer EBT enrollment is automatic.
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What Documents You May Need
If an application is required, having these documents ready can help move the process along without delays:
- Proof of identity for the parent or guardian (state-issued ID, driver's license, or passport)
- Proof of New Jersey residency (utility bill, lease agreement, or official government mail)
- Proof of income for all household members (recent pay stubs, employer letter, or benefit award letters for SNAP, TANF, or SSI)
- Child's school enrollment information (school name, grade level, and student ID if available)
- Social Security numbers for the child and, in some cases, the applying adult (requirements vary by case type)
If your household already receives SNAP, you may not need to provide income documentation separately — your existing case record may be used to verify eligibility. Confirm this with the NJ Division of Family Development when you make contact.
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How Benefits Are Issued and Where They Can Be Used
Summer EBT benefits in New Jersey are issued on an EBT card. If your household does not already have a SNAP EBT card, a new card will typically be mailed to the address on file with the state agency or school. This is one of the most common reasons eligible families miss out — an outdated mailing address means the card never arrives.
Once issued, benefits can generally be used at:
- Grocery stores and supermarkets authorized to accept SNAP
- Large retailers with food departments, including Walmart and Target
- Some farmers markets and food co-ops authorized to accept EBT
Benefits cannot be used for hot prepared foods, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, or non-food household items — the same restrictions that apply to regular SNAP purchases. Look for the EBT-accepted sign at checkout, or ask the store's customer service desk if you are unsure.
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Timeline: When to Expect Benefits in 2026
The exact 2026 Summer EBT timeline for New Jersey had not been finalized at the time this article was reviewed, but based on the program's structure in prior years, families can generally anticipate the following sequence:
- Spring (April–May): State agencies and school districts begin identifying eligible children and, where applicable, opening application windows for households that need to apply separately
- Late May–June: EBT cards begin to be mailed to eligible households
- June–August: Benefits are available for use, typically issued on a monthly cycle
- Fall: Unused benefits may expire after a set period — check the card documentation or state agency guidance for specific expiration terms
If you believe your child may be eligible and you have not received any communication by late May 2026, do not wait. Contact the New Jersey Department of Human Services directly or reach out to your child's school nutrition office to ask about your household's status.
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What to Do If You Don't Receive a Card
If your child appears to meet the income requirements but no EBT card or program communication arrives, take these steps:
- Check with your child's school — confirm that a household income application is on file and was approved for the current school year
- Contact the NJ Division of Family Development — the state agency that administers food assistance programs in New Jersey
- Verify your mailing address is current with both the school and the state agency
- Ask about the reconsideration or appeals process if you believe your child was incorrectly excluded from the program
State agencies are required to provide information about how eligibility determinations are made. You have the right to ask questions and request written clarification.
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If Your Family Also Needs SNAP
Summer EBT is a separate program from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and receiving Summer EBT does not affect your household's SNAP eligibility or benefit amount. The two programs operate independently.
If your family is not currently enrolled in SNAP and you think you may be eligible, that is a separate application process through the New Jersey Division of Family Development. SNAP eligibility in New Jersey generally extends to households with gross income at or below 130% of FPL, with net income and asset tests also applying in most cases. Benefit amounts vary by household size and income, and the application can be started online through the NJ Benefits Portal.
Learning about both programs at the same time may help your family access the full range of food assistance that may be available during the summer months and beyond.
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Last reviewed: July 2026