SUN Bucks Application

Key Updates

  • SUN Bucks Returns for Summer 2026! 
    SUN Bucks is back for the 2026 summer period! Most students will be automatically enrolled in the program, but some may need to apply. Visit the interactive eligibility quiz to find out if your child automatically qualifies or needs to apply.  
  • Applications for Summer 2026 are now being accepted. Read below for more information and FAQs.
  • The last day to apply for 2025 SUN Bucks benefits was August 31, 2025. No more issuances can be provided for the last summer period. 

SUN Bucks Eligibility – Who Can Apply?

Many children who are eligible for SUN Bucks will receive them without needing to complete a SUN Bucks application. Use the interactive eligibility quiz to see if your child automatically qualifies or needs to apply. To find out how and when SUN Bucks are provided visit the NC SUN Bucks Homepage.

Automatic SUN Bucks Eligibility Information:

If your child is enrolled in a NSLP school (check your school) and meets one of the scenarios below, they are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks and do not need to submit an application:

  • Child completed a SUN Bucks application between July 1st and August 31st and was approved. You do not need to complete another application as long as the child is still enrolled in a NSLP or CEP participating school.
  • Your child was approved for Free or Reduced-Price meals through the child’s school.
    • Important: This does not apply to children in schools where all students get free meals (i.e. CEP schools), however, they could be automatically eligible if they participate in any of the programs listed in the section below (regardless of age).

OR, another way

If your child was 7-16 years old during the school year or the following summer period, and they participate in at least one of the programs below, they do not need to submit an application as they are automatically eligible to receive SUN Bucks:

  • Food and Nutrition Services (FNS, food stamps), or
  • Work First (cash assistance), or  
  • Medicaid and has a household income of less than 185% of the federal poverty level, or
  • Cherokee Tribal Food Distribution Program (CTFDP), or
  • Child is in Foster Care, or
  • Child is enrolled in the McKinney-Vento program (experiencing homelessness or runaway)

Note: Families will be notified of their child’s automatic enrollment for SUN Bucks at the start of the summer each year. Please be patient as it can take several weeks to notify all qualifying families.

To check if your child would be automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks or if you would need to apply, you can take the interactive eligibility quiz. After completing it, you can apply if you need to. 

Some students will need to apply for SUN Bucks

  • If your child goes to a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school, but does not meet any of the categories above, you will need to apply. The SUN Bucks application is only open for students enrolled in these schools. Use the SUN Bucks School Search Tool to see if your child's school is “NSLP”, “CEP”. If your school is listed as NSLP or CEP, you can apply through the link below.  
  • SUN Bucks is an income-based food assistance program. To be eligible, household income cannot exceed the income threshold for the program.

You can apply online using a computer or your phone.

Apply Now

SUN Bucks Application Specific Frequently Asked Questions

Tab/Accordion Items

SUN Bucks is an income-based food assistance program with a federally established income limit. Children may also be determined eligible if they participate in certain programs.  

To see if your child is eligible for SUN Bucks benefits, take this interactive eligibility quiz. Once complete, you can return to this page or go here to apply. 

Many students will automatically be approved for SUN Bucks without families having to do anything. You can apply as long as your child attends a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or is a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school. You can check to see if your child’s school is NSLP or CEP using the SUN Bucks School Search Tool.  

SUN Bucks is an income-based program. Household income must not exceed the income threshold for the program.

To apply, visit SUN Bucks application, and agree to the terms of use to get started. 

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federal program that operates in most public schools, some charter schools, and a few private nonprofit schools. As part of this program, children who are part of households that meet income criteria can get free or low-cost meals at school. Contact your child’s school for more information and to apply.

Some NSLP schools are called Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools. These are schools that provide meals to all students at no cost without needing to submit an application. To check if your child’s school was an NSLP or CEP school for the most recent school year, visit the SUN Bucks School Search Tool.

Some schools use different programs to provide students with meals at no cost. These programs are not the same as the NSLP or CEP meal programs.

To check if your child(ren) automatically qualify, or if they should apply, take the interactive eligibility quiz. 

At the start of summer period, families with eligible children will be notified by email, text, or phone call that they are automatically enrolled for SUN Bucks. Please be patient as it takes several weeks to notify all families of eligibility. Families will not need to apply for these children.

To see if your child is eligible for SUN Bucks benefits, take this interactive eligibility quiz.

Go to “Does my child qualify for SUN Bucks?” to learn more about eligibility for SUN Bucks benefits. 

To complete the application in Spanish, visit the NC SUN Bucks application,  click the circular icon in the top right corner, and select “Spanish”. After accepting the terms of use, you can begin the application.

Yes, you can request an application be mailed or emailed to you in two ways:

  1. Email DCFW.SunBucks@dhhs.nc.gov, or
  2. Call the North Carolina EBT Call Center at 1-866-719-0141, select your language, and SELECT OPTION 2 to speak with a SUN Bucks customer service representative.

Families should only apply for SUN Bucks in the state where their child finished the school year.

No. Complete a single application and list all children in your household, even if they are not students, to ensure your income is calculated correctly.

Important: Some households may have one child who needs to apply and another who automatically qualifies based on school enrollment and automatic eligibility criteria. While you do not need to apply for a child who automatically qualifies for SUN Bucks, you must still list them as part of your household. If you are unsure whether a child automatically qualifies, you may apply on their behalf, and you will be notified if they qualify automatically. 

When applying for SUN Bucks, you may provide the best address available where you receive mail or indicate that you do not have a stable address. In your application, remember to provide a valid email address and phone number so you can be contacted. If no stable address is listed, once your application is approved and you are notified by email or phone, you must contact the North Carolina EBT Call Center at 1-866-719-0141, select their language, and select Option 2 to provide a mailing address for the SUN Bucks card or request that the card be mailed to the county DSS office for pickup. Bring a valid ID to pick up your card. 

Yes. If you have a foster child placed in your home through a court order, please include the child on your application to ensure they are not missed for SUN Bucks enrollment. 

Providing the student’s ID number is strongly recommended to help speed up school enrollment verification and application processing, but it is not required to submit an application. 

Student IDs can be found on most student report cards, ID cards, and on the parent portal in Infinite Campus. If you cannot find your child’s student ID, please contact the child’s school.

You can find your case number on your program’s original approval letter. If you don’t have the letter, reach out to your DSS caseworker for help.

SUN Bucks eligibility is based on household income. NCDHHS asks for the total gross income of everyone in your household to make sure your income falls within the program limits. Gross income means the total money you earn from all sources before taxes or other deductions. 

A household includes all people, related or unrelated, who usually live together and share income and expenses. The income of every household member must be reported on the application, including any income earned by children. 

Applicants will be notified by email from NCDHHS about approval or denial starting in the Spring. Make sure your application includes a valid email and phone number so you can be contacted, and an address for mailing your card if you are approved. 

If your address changes after you submit your application, call the North Carolina EBT Call Center at 1-866-719-0141, choose your language, and select Option 2 to talk to a SUN Bucks customer service representative about updating your address. 

If your situation has changed or you didn’t include relevant information you believe may impact your application decision, you can reapply.

If you have questions about your denial, please call the North Carolina EBT Call Center at 1-866-719-0141, select your language, and SELECT OPTION 2  to speak with a SUN Bucks customer service representative.

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