Alabama Unveils ‘SUN Bucks,’ Providing $120 Per Eligible Child for Summer Food

This summer, eligible school-age children will receive a one-time payment of $120 per child in grocery benefits through the Alabama SUN Bucks program. These benefits can provide the nourishment your children need during the summer break.

SUN Bucks benefits are in the form of a pre-loaded card with a one-time $120 benefit for the summer that families can use to purchase groceries. Alabama SUN Bucks will be  accepted at grocery stores, farmers’ markets, convenience stores and online retailers. Alabama SUN Bucks can buy most SNAP-eligible foods, except hot and prepared foods.

The Alabama SUN Bucks benefit will start being sent in June 2026 and families that need to apply can do so anytime. The Alabama Department of Human Resources will send a letter about your child’s eligibility if you applied or are automatically eligible.

School-age students are eligible and will be enrolled automatically for Alabama SUN Bucks if:

• Your child attended a school during School Year 2025-2026 with the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP), and your household meets the free or reduced-price school meals income guidelines; or
• Your child attended a school during School Year 2025-2026 with the NSLP or SBP and your household received benefits through SNAP, TANF, Medicaid (through school demonstration project), Foster Care, Homeless, Migrant, Runaway or Head Start. (Not all Head Start locations participate).