Please refer to our Summer EBT Webpage: Information for Parents.

Some questions this page will answer: 

• Will my child automatically receive SUN Bucks in 2026?
• If my child's school serves all free meals, will they automatically get SUN Bucks?

The CNP Summer EBT - SUN Bucks portal is live in ADEConnect.

HNS 04-2026: Announcing the 2026 Summer EBT SUN Bucks Program and Requirements for School Food Authorities

Quick Guide: How to Report Students for Summer-EBT in the CNP Summer EBT - SUN Bucks Data Portal: This quick guide takes the user through navigating the SUN Bucks portal. 

SUN Bucks & AzEDs: Flow of Student Eligibility Data: This resource outlines the importance of the continued connection and collaboration between the SIS representative and food service by illustrating the connection of AzEDs data to SUN Bucks benefits to families.

SUN Bucks Eligibility Flow Chart: This chart provides a very basic overview of student eligibility requirements for SUN Bucks benefits.

SUN Bucks Benefits: Actions Required by the SFA: This is a resource that outlines the actions required by the SFA for the SUN Bucks administration.  

No Application, No Problem - Flyer: This infographic is to be used by sites operating Special Provision Options (Provision 2, 3 or CEP) to provide access to SUN Bucks benefits for eligible students who attend schools that do not collect Household Applications for Meal Benefits.

If you have any additional questions that aren't answered on these tabs, please refer to the following methods to learn more about SEBT or how to reach out to the Arizona Department of Education. 

• Summer EBT webpage- Information for Parents of School-Age Children: www.azed.gov/SUNBucks
• Summer EBT hotline/phone number: 833-648-4406
• Summer EBT email address: [email protected]

Some children in Arizona will receive SUN Bucks automatically without needing to apply. To see whether your child will receive benefits automatically, please review the criteria below. 

Criteria for automatically receiving SUN Bucks without applying:

No. However, if your child was enrolled and attended a school that participated in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) or Provision 2/3 (if unsure, click here) and met at least ONE of the following requirements below between July 1, 2025 and August 3, 2026, they will automatically be eligible for SUN Bucks:

• Received benefits for any amount of time under SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or Head Start (NSLP/SBP participating Head Start); OR
• Received benefits from an income based Medicaid program which meets NSLP income guidelines for any amount of time; OR
• In Foster Care; OR
• Certified as homeless or as an unaccompanied youth under the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act; OR
• Certified under the Migrant Education Program.

If your child does not meet any of the above criteria and attended a CEP or Provision 2/3 school, you can apply for SUN Bucks (please refer to the "How do I apply for SUN Bucks" section).

To qualify automatically for SUN Bucks based on participation in AHCCCS/Medicaid, your child’s eligibility is based on household income you provided to AHCCCS, and that income must meet NSLP guidelines for free or reduced-price meals (at or below the 185 percent of the federal poverty level). 

Please consider applying for SUN Bucks if your child receives AHCCCS through SSI Cash, Adoption Subsidy, or Foster Care as eligibility is not based on income and your child is not automatically eligible for SUN Bucks.

If your child is enrolled in KidsCare, your household income is above 185% of the federal poverty level and your child is not automatically eligible for SUN Bucks.

If you are unsure if your child's participation in AHCCCS/Medicaid will automatically qualify for them for SUN Bucks, we strongly recommend you apply. Please refer to the "How do I apply for SUN Bucks" section.

2026 SUN Bucks applications closed on August 3, 2026.
 
If you submitted an online application or mailed one in by the deadline, it may still be under review. Program staff are reviewing all timely submitted applications, and applicants will receive written notification regarding the status of their application once processing is complete.
 
Applications received after August 3, 2026, will be denied.

A one-time summer benefit amount of $120 will be issued for each eligible child. The eligibility notification letter and the SUN Bucks card (if receiving a new card) will be sent in two separate mailings to the address on file. Ensure mailing address is up-to-date with schools and the Department of Economic Security (DES). 

Once SUN Bucks benefits have been issued, eligible households will receive a letter in the mail, similar to the ones linked below, from DES in a new envelope that says SUN Bucks. Please make sure to review and keep this letter.

SUN Bucks 2026 newly eligible families (those who have not received a SUN Bucks card in summer 2024 or 2025 and are not actively receiving SNAP/TANF benefits) will receive an approval letter and a new SUN Bucks EBT card separately in the mail. It may take several weeks to receive your EBT card in the mail. 
    • Sample letter to households currently receiving SNAP/TANF benefits (English)/(Spanish)
    • Sample letter to households who previously received SUN Bucks (English)/(Spanish)
    • Sample letter to households receiving SUN Bucks benefits (new case builds) (English)/(Spanish)
    • Sample envelope to the household regarding SUN Bucks benefits (Envelope) 

Where will my SUN Bucks eligibility letter be mailed?
SNAP/TANF households (actively receiving benefits): Sent to the address on file with DES.
AHCCCS households: Families who recently updated their address with the messages sent by AHCCCS will have their letters sent to the newly updated address, otherwise the school address will be used. 
New SUN Bucks applicants: Sent to the address provided on the SUN Bucks application. 
All other eligible families: Sent to the address provided by the student’s school.

What card will my SUN Bucks benefit be issued to? 
In most cases: If you have multiple eligible children in the same household, the benefits for all children will be issued on one card. For households who currently participate in SNAP or TANF, the benefit will be placed on that case. For households who received the SUN Bucks benefit for Summer 2024 or 2025, DES will add the 2026 benefit to the most recent card received.
  
In some cases: Each eligible child in a household might receive a separate card. Additionally, there may be instances when a new card will be mailed even if you received benefits last year. For example, if the eldest child who received the SUN Bucks card for 2025 is no longer eligible and there were other eligible children in the household, a new SUN Bucks EBT card will be mailed.

The benefits will be issued on a SUN Bucks card that looks like one of the below.

OR:

Benefit cards will be mailed to eligible children at the address provided by the school beginning in summer 2026. Once mailed, it may take a few weeks to reach your address. Please confirm your mailing address with your school district.

Once SUN Bucks benefits have been issued, households will receive a letter from DES in the mail, similar to the ones linked below. Please make sure to review and keep this letter.

• Sample letter to households currently receiving SNAP/TANF benefits (English)/(Spanish) [Templates coming soon]
• Sample letter to households who previously received SUN Bucks (English)/(Spanish) [Templates coming soon]
• Sample letter to households receiving SUN Bucks benefits (new case builds) (English)/(Spanish)[Templates coming soon]

Using Your SUN Bucks Benefits:

• Use your SUN Bucks before they expire: SUN Bucks benefits expire 122 days from the date the benefits are made available on your SUN Bucks card. Federal regulations do not allow benefits to be replaced after they have expired/expunged. 
• Setting up Your SUN Bucks card: Once you receive your card in the mail, you will need to call 1-888-997-9333 to set up the PIN for your EBT card. 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. 
• Using your benefits to buy food: Once the funds are available on your card, you can buy eligible food at grocery stores, farmers' markets, and other authorized SNAP retailers. To locate participating retailers, you may visit www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator. 
• Can I give my SUN Bucks card to someone else to use to buy groceries for themselves? SUN Bucks benefits are specific to the household and cannot be given to another person. 
• Replacing your SUN Bucks card or changing your PIN: To check your SUN Bucks card balance, change your PIN, or request a replacement EBT card, call 1-888-997-9333. 
• For more information about using your Arizona EBT Card: Please view DES' "How to Use Your Arizona EBT Card" brochure (English) (Spanish). 

How do I decline SUN Bucks benefits? To opt out of 2026 SUN Bucks benefits, complete the parent and student information in the SUN Bucks application. At the top of the "Student" page, check the box labeled “I would like to opt out of receiving SUN Bucks benefits.” Click here to begin the opt out process.

What should I do if I received a SUN Bucks card in error? If you received a SUN Bucks card, but your child is not certified for free or reduced-price school meals, and you believe you are not eligible for these benefits, please do not use the card. If you received the card in error, please destroy the card. 

What should I do if I suspect my benefits were used fraudulently or stolen? Federal regulations do not allow for the replacement of stolen SUN Bucks benefits. If you have lost your card or your card has been stolen, call 1-888-997-9333 (TTY: 1-800-367-8939) IMMEDIATELY, and don't hang up until they have deactivated your card.

If you have questions on the topics listed below, please contact the SUN Bucks hotline at 1-833-648-4406.

• Assistance with the SUN Bucks case number
• Date(s) of benefit issuance. Report a change of address
• Child missing on your SUN Bucks case
• Information on SUN Bucks eligibility, how to apply, or how to file an appeal
• How to opt out
• Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions on the topics listed below, please contact the EBT card customer service line at 1-888-997-9333. 

• Activating your card 
• Checking card balances 
• Changing your PIN 
• Reporting a lost, stolen, or damaged card 
• Requesting a replacement card 

Please only contact your child's school if you have questions about the following: 

• Your child's free or reduced-price eligibility status
• The date of birth listed for your child 

Please only contact your child's school if you need to make updates to the following: 

• Custodial parent or guardian
• Mailing address

If you disagree with the decision made about your SUN Bucks benefits by the State of Arizona, you have the right to appeal. 
 
TO SUBMIT AN APPEAL ONLINE:
[Coming Soon]
 
TO SUBMIT AN APPEAL BY US MAIL:
To mail in an appeal, please print the form linked below, complete, and mail the completed form to ADE at the address below. 
 
SUN Bucks Benefit Review/Appeal Form (English)
SUN Bucks Benefit Review/Appeal Form (Spanish)

Attn: HNS SUN Bucks  
Arizona Department of Education, 
1535 W. Jefferson St. Bin #7 
Phoenix AZ 85007