WASHINGTON, D.C. — District families will again be able to use DC SUN Bucks this summer, with city officials expecting to distribute more than $8 million in federally funded food benefits to help students keep access to groceries while school is out.
Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Department of Human Services, and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education announced the 2026 return of the program this week. The benefit provides a one-time $120 Electronic Benefits Transfer payment per eligible student, which families can use at authorized SNAP retailers.
City officials said the program is expected to reach about 72,000 students. Benefits remain available for 122 days after they are issued, giving households roughly four months to use the support during the summer period.
Bowser said the goal is to help close the summer hunger gap when students are away from school meals. The District says it has already issued more than $15 million through SUN Bucks since the program launched, including $8.6 million for nearly 72,000 students in 2025 and nearly $7 million for more than 58,000 students in 2024.
Students ages 5 to 18 may be automatically enrolled if they participate in SNAP or TANF, are approved for free or reduced-price meals, are experiencing homelessness, or are in foster care. Students of any age who meet those criteria and attend a school participating in the National School Lunch Program may also qualify for automatic enrollment.
Families who are not automatically enrolled can still qualify if their student attends a participating school and the household is at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. The District is directing families to use the DC SUN Bucks Enrollment Checker and online portal to verify enrollment, apply, update mailing addresses, request replacement cards, and manage benefit details.
The deadline to apply for 2026 benefits is August 23. More information on eligibility and applications is available at sunbucks.dc.gov.
The Washington Herald
editorial@thewashingtonherald.com
Washington, D.C.
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