Qualifying Connecticut residents can take advantage of a new federal program designed to help families pay for food during the summer, a time when food insecurity tends to worsen because kids don’t have access to meals at school.
The Summer EBT Transfer program, known as SUN Bucks or S-EBT, offers eligible families a cash transfer of $120 per child for food assistance. Dozens of states are participating in the program, including all of New England, as well as New York and New Jersey.
Connecticut received its $32.7 million federal allocation for the program, which is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in May. However, implementation was delayed after state agencies failed to coordinate effectively to meet a June distribution deadline.
Benefits were distributed on Sunday, Connecticut Department of Social Services Deputy Communications Director Christine Stuart said, though families who didn’t automatically receive the cash flow can apply for it through Aug. 31.
Here’s what to know about the program.
Am I eligible for SUN Bucks?
Children who qualified for free or reduced price school meals during the 2023-24 school year receive the benefits automatically, as do recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Family Assistance.
Families who aren’t automatically eligible can still take advantage of S-EBT if their household income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level; however, those families will have to apply for the program. Currently, the income cutoff is $55,500 annually, or $1,068 weekly, for a family of four.
Qualifying families will receive the money on top of their existing benefits.
The application and full eligibility guidelines can be found here.
How do I receive the benefits?
Benefits were added to a recipient’s SNAP or TFA card. Families without an EBT card got one mailed to them, Stuart said, and children without a mailing address will have the card issued to their school.
Anyone who hasn’t received a new card or needs a replacement should contact 1-888-328-2666.
Where can I use the benefits, and what can I buy with them?
SUN Bucks can be used at any location that accepts SNAP/EBT cards. Beneficiaries can use the money to buy classic groceries — like fruit, meat, dairy products, bread, cereal and snacks — but not alcohol, vitamins or food that’s hot at the time of purchase.
The state will take back any S-EBT benefits not used within 122 days, and they cannot be replaced or reinstated. Recipients will get a reminder in the mail 30 days before the money expires.
Will this be a recurring program?
Yes, the program will provide the one-time $120 payment to qualifying families each summer.
How many Connecticut families will benefit?
The families of around 273,000 children will receive SUN Bucks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
More than 460,000 Connecticut residents struggle with food insecurity, and more than 112,000 of those are children, according to estimates from Feeding America. People of color are disproportionately likely to experience food insecurity.
Housing & Children’s Issues Reporter Ginny Monk contributed reporting.