About Summer EBT

What is Summer EBT?

The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (Summer EBT or SUN Bucks) is new in summer 2024. Summer EBT/SUN Bucks provides grocery benefits to low-income families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer. Summer EBT benefits will either be loaded to a household’s Ohio Direction Card, or a benefit card will be sent in the mail to each eligible child.  

Families can use the money to buy food during the summer at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other authorized retailers. Families will receive a one-time benefit of $120 for each eligible child and participation will not affect children or families’ immigration status.

How do I know if my child is eligible to receive Summer EBT/Sun Bucks and how do I apply?

Many families will get Summer EBT/SUN Bucks automatically if they are getting other benefits, but some families may need to apply for the program. If your household already participates in SNAP, OWF, or if income eligible and receiving Medicaid benefits, your child will automatically be enrolled to receive summer benefits. You do not need to fill out an application or take any further action.

Similarly, households who have been approved for free/reduced meal benefits at their school will be submitted to automatically receive the summer benefit with no further action.

If you are not automatically enrolled, but you believe that your child might be eligible, you should submit a school meal application to your school foodservice department as soon as possible. If your child attends a Community Eligibility Provision School (a school receiving universal free meals, without the collection of income applications), there will be an online application available at sebt.ohio.gov for households to apply for Summer EBT/SUN Bucks directly. When applying, you will be asked to provide your child’s name, school, date of birth, address, and some additional details. You will also be asked to report your household’s income. You will not need to provide any other documents or information including social security number, proof of citizenship, or pay stubs to apply.