SUN Bucks (Summer EBT)
Utah SUN Bucks (also called Summer EBT) can help families buy food during the summer when schools are closed. Families get $120 for each eligible school-age child.
IMPORTANT: Don't worry if you get a "SUN Bucks Denial" letter.
Sometimes, this letter is sent because you were already approved to automatically get the benefit. (For example, you receive SNAP, TANF, Medicaid or your child receives free or reduced school lunch.) If this is the case, the denial letter just means your extra application wasn't needed. You will still get your SUN Bucks benefit.
If you were denied for any other reason, you do not qualify for SUN Bucks.
How do I get SUN Bucks?
If you receive SNAP, TANF or Medicaid, and/or you qualify for free or reduced school lunch, your school-age children will automatically be enrolled, and SUN Bucks will be added to your SNAP account or issued as a separate electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card this summer.
If you did not share your data with The Department of Workforce Services and Utah State Board of Education to issue Summer EBT benefits on your free reduced meal application, then you must apply for SUN Bucks.
If you attend a school where everyone receives free lunch and you do NOT receive SNAP, TANF or Medicaid, you can apply for SUN Bucks here. Applications must be submitted by August 31, 2025.
When will SUN Bucks be available?
The one-time SUN Bucks benefits will begin to go out on June 6, 2025. As new benefit applications are approved, benefits will be available weekly on Thursdays.
What will my SUN Bucks card look like?
What will my SUN Bucks card look like?
How do I activate my card?
Follow the instructions you received in the mail with your card to activate your card. You will need to know the date of birth of the person whose name is on the card.
- If you have a Horizon card (which means you already receive SNAP, TANF or Medicaid), the name on the card will be the primary individual on the case.
- If you have a SUN Bucks card and you submitted an application, the name on the card will be the guardian’s name.
- If you have a SUN Bucks card and were signed up for the program by your school because your child receives free or reduced price lunch, your child’s name will be on the card.
If you need to activate more than one card because you have more than one child you will need to:
- Contact Utah SUN Bucks at UTsunbucks@utah.gov or 833-940-2990 and report that you have an EBT Help Desk Complaint in the subject line. You will need to include:
- Guardian’s name
- Child’s first name
- Your case number
- The phone number associated with your case (the phone you called from when activating the card).
Please allow 3 business days for a response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click here for frequently asked questions.
How can I use SUN Bucks?
SUN Bucks can be used to buy foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains and dairy at grocery stores, farmers markets and other places that accept SNAP benefits.
Stretch your SUN Bucks further with Double Up Food Bucks - a program to help you buy nutritious foods at participating farmer’s markets! For every $1 you spend, you will earn $2 to spend on fresh produce (up to $20 in Double Up benefits per day). Click here to find a Double Up location.
What if I have a new address?
If you participate in SNAP, TANF or Medicaid, make sure your address is up to date on jobs.utah.gov/mycase so your SUN Bucks benefits are sent to the right place!
If you moved since filling out your free or reduced meal application, update your address here. Protect your students personal information by sending only this information:
- State Student ID# (SSID) - this is not your student’s lunch number
- Student’s first and last name
- Student’s day and month of birth
- School and district your student attended in the 2024-2025 school year
- The last home address reported to the school
- The current mailing address of the student
- Name of Parent or Guardian who filled out the free reduced meal application at school
We need this information for each student. If we are unable to locate your student with this information, SUN Bucks will request additional information by sending an encrypted email to protect your student’s personal information.
How does it work if I am on Medicaid?
If you are on Medicaid you most likely qualify for SUN Bucks.
These programs do NOT qualify:
- Medicare Cost Sharing Program (MCSP)
- Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB)
- Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP)
- Waiver Medical Program recipients
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients with an open Medical program
Are there other programs to help me feed my children during the summer?
- SUN Meals offer free meals and snacks for school-age children during the summer at schools, parks and other neighborhood locations. Find a location near you here.
- If you live in a rural area, SUN Meals To-Go may be available for pick up or delivery to your house. (This option may or may not be available where you live.) Find a location near you here.
- If school is still in session and you could benefit from free or reduced-price school lunch, apply with your school before the end of the year.
How do I opt out of SUN Bucks?
If you do not want your student to participate in SUN Bucks and receive the one time $120 benefit for the summer, you can opt-out. You need to notify SUN Bucks that you do not want your student to participate before the benefits are issued by sending an email to here. Protect your students personal information by sending only this information:
- State Student ID# (SSID) - this is not your student’s lunch number
- Student’s first and last name
- Student’s day and month of birth
- School and district your student attended in the 2024-2025 school year
- The last home address reported to the school
- The current mailing address of the student
- Name of Parent or Guardian who filled out the free reduced meal application at school
We need this information for each student. If we are unable to locate your student with this information, SUN Bucks will request additional information by sending an encrypted email to protect your student’s personal information.
Contact Us
If you have a question that was NOT answered on this page, click here.
If you need to speak with someone for assistance, call 833-940-2990.
Protect your students personal information by sending only this information:
- State Student ID# (SSID) - this is not your student’s lunch number
- Student’s first and last name
- Student’s day and month of birth
- School and district your student attended in the 2024-2025 school year
- The last home address reported to the school
- The current mailing address of the student
- Name of Parent or Guardian who filled out the free reduced meal application at school
We need this information for each student. If we are unable to locate your student with this information, SUN Bucks will request additional information by sending an encrypted email to protect your student’s personal information.
Additional Resources
- Call 211 for food resources or visit the 211 website
- Find a Utah Food Bank location near you
- Learn about and apply for SNAP
- Learn about menu planning, healthy eating on a budget, basic cooking skills and tasty recipes for you and your kids with Create Better Health.
- Utah SUN Bucks policy
- Utah SUN Bucks fair hearing information