The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (Summer-EBT/SUN Bucks) provides grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children who lose access to free or reduced-price school meals when schools are closed for the summer.

How do I apply for SUN Bucks?

Most children in Arizona will automatically receive benefits and do not need to apply. 

Do You Need to Apply? Before applying for SUN Bucks, please review the information in the “Will my child automatically get SUN Bucks?” section on this page or complete the SUN Bucks Eligibility Screener Guide (English or Spanish version) to determine if your child will receive benefits automatically. Completion of the eligibility screener will provide the link to the SUN Bucks household application if applicable.

To mail in an application, please print, sign, and mail this completed form to ADE at the following address:

• SUN Bucks English Application (PDF)
• SUN Bucks Spanish Application (PDF)

Attn: HNS SUN Bucks 

Arizona Department of Education, 

1535 W. Jefferson St. Bin #7 

Phoenix AZ 85007

You must submit an application by August 5, 2025. 

How will I be receiving my benefits?

A one-time summer benefit amount of $120 will be issued for each eligible child. 

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 that received the SUN Bucks benefit for Summer 2024, DES will add the 2025 benefit to the same card from 2024.  

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 2024 is no longer eligible and there are other eligible children in the household, a new SUN Bucks EBT card will be mailed.

Benefit cards will be mailed to eligible children at the address provided by the school beginning summer 2025. 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)
• Sample letter to households who previously received SUN Bucks (English)/(Spanish)
• Sample letter to households receiving SUN Bucks benefits (new case builds) (English)/(Spanish)

How do I use my SUN Bucks benefits?

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 been 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 to request a replacement EBT card call 1-888-997-9333. 
• For more information about using your Arizona EBT Card: Please view DES's' How to Use Your Arizona EBT Card brochure (English) (Spanish). 

What if I don't want my benefits or if I'd like to opt out?

You may opt out of 2025 SUN Bucks benefits by clicking here.

Important: Once you get to the student information, please make sure to check the box at the top of the screen that says "I would like to opt out of receiving Summer EBT benefits". If you do not click this box, we will not know you are opting out.  

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 to do if my benefits were 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.

Who do I contact if I have further questions?

If you have questions on the topics listed below, please contact the SUN Bucks hotline: 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, to apply, or 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

Where can I submit an appeal of my benefits decision?

Appealing My Benefits Decision: 

If you disagree with the decision that the state of Arizona made about your SUN Bucks benefits, you have the right to appeal. The Arizona Department of Education will accept appeals for 2025 SUN Bucks up until November 3, 2025. To learn more about the Arizona Department of Education's Fair Hearing Procedures, please view the link to the 2025 Fair Hearing Procedures.  

Appeal submissions for the 2024 SUN Bucks benefits are closed. 

To submit an online 2025 appeal request, please complete the following online form. 

To mail in a 2025 appeal request, please print, complete, and mail this form to ADE at the following address: 

Attn: HNS SUN Bucks  

Arizona Department of Education, 

1535 W. Jefferson St. Bin #7 

Phoenix AZ 85007

Source: Arizona Department of Education