This summer, Maryland SUN Bucks is back! The Maryland SUN Bucks program helps families stretch their grocery budget during the summer months, when many children lose access to meals at school.
Eligibility requirements and the enrollment process have not changed from 2025, but there are a few updates for 2026:
- EBT Vendor Update: Effective May 17, the EBT vendor for the state of Maryland will change. If your card has been lost or destroyed, a new card can be ordered at ebtedge.com, on the ebtEDGE mobile app, or by contacting the EBT Customer Service Center at 1-800-997-2222.
- Moved? DHS does not automatically receive address updates from schools. Call 1-800-332-6347 and select SUN Bucks, or go online to update your address immediately.
- Who is getting a card in the mail? Only children new to the program whose households do not have SNAP or TANF will get a new white SUN Bucks card in the mail. All other families will use the card they already have. If you need a replacement, please call DHS to update your address and request a new card.
- Custody Changed? Update the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) immediately to prevent benefits from going to the wrong parent. Call 1-800-332-6347 and select SUN Bucks.
- Foster Parents/Guardians: Keep your old card if your child received SUN Bucks last year. If you are new to the program, you will receive a white SUN Bucks card directly from your caseworker. Contact your caseworker for replacements.
Eligibility
A school-aged child is eligible for Maryland SUN Bucks benefits if they:
- Are enrolled in a Maryland school that participates in free or reduced-Price School Meals (FARMS);
- Are age 5-18 and live in a household that participates in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), or Medical Assistance/Medicaid (MA);
- Applied for and were enrolled in FARMS or the School Breakfast Program (SBP) during the school year;
- Are in foster care, experiencing homelessness, are a runaway, child of a migrant worker, or do not meet the above criteria but apply and are determined eligible for FARMS by August 31st of the application year.
Enrollment
Many families will get Maryland SUN Bucks benefits automatically, but others will need to apply. If a household already participates in SNAP, TCA, or Medicaid and/or has applied for and received Free and Reduced School Meals (FARMS) during the 2025-26 school year, they will be automatically enrolled in the program. Children who are in foster care, experiencing homelessness, migrants, or runaways will be automatically enrolled. These households do not need to fill out an application. Please note that homeless, migrant, or runaway status is usually self-reported to schools; if a child has that status but the school is unaware, this may impact the need to apply. A child who is enrolled in a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school that automatically receives FARMS, is not actively receiving SNAP, TCA, or Medicaid, and is not in foster care will not be automatically enrolled. The child’s parent/guardian will have to apply and be determined eligible to enroll in the Maryland SUN Bucks program.
How Maryland SUN Bucks Works
Maryland SUN Bucks benefits will be issued on existing SNAP EBT cards for families who have received SNAP or TCA benefits at any time since July 1, 2025. For children who do not receive SNAP or TCA benefits on an existing card, the benefits will be issued on a white Maryland SUN Bucks card in the child’s name. Benefits can be used at authorized SNAP retailers such as grocery stores and farmers markets, to purchase healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, meats and other protein sources, whole grains, dairy, and other food products.
Visit the Maryland SUN Bucks webpage at dhs.maryland.gov/sunbucks to learn more.
