Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro is encouraging families to take advantage of SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, a new program providing grocery benefits to low-income families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer.
Families will receive a one-time benefit of $120 for each eligible child to buy food during the summer at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other authorized retailers. 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.
“We want to make sure every eligible family in Summit County participates in the SUN Bucks program this summer. Many children and families rely on free meals provided during the school year. SUN Bucks will help ensure no kid goes hungry over summer break,” said County Executive Ilene Shapiro. “Thankfully, many families will be automatically enrolled in the program and will begin receiving funds soon. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please reach out to learn more and apply.”
Many families will receive Summer EBT/SUN Bucks automatically if they are receiving other benefits, but some families may need to apply for the program. If a household already participates in SNAP, Ohio Works First, or if income eligible and receiving Medicaid benefits, children will automatically be enrolled to receive summer benefits. Similarly, households that have been approved for free/reduced meal benefits at their school will be submitted to automatically receive the summer benefit with no further action.
Families not automatically enrolled may submit a school meal application to their school. If a 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 https://sebt.ohio.gov/. When applying, applicants will be asked to provide the child’s name, school, date of birth, address, and some additional details. They will also be asked to report the household’s income. They will not need to provide any other documents or information including social security number, proof of citizenship, or pay stubs to apply.
To learn more or apply for SUN Bucks, visit https://sebt.ohio.gov/. To ask questions about SUN Bucks, call 866-244-0071 and select Option 1.
