Additional financial aid for meals will soon be available for low-Income families with children on summer break across Clark County.
Qualifying households may receive a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child with state-wide payouts beginning this June, according to a news release by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
The SUN Bucks program was created to ensure children in low-income households receive enough food during summer break. The federally funded program is being provided by the Department of Social and Health Services and OSPI.
Applications will soon be available and will be accepted through Aug. 31.
Households receiving the SUN Bucks benefit will be mailed SUN Bucks cards loaded with funds beginning in early June, the news release stated.
Children may be automatically eligible for SUN Bucks if they are enrolled at a school providing the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program and qualify through a meal application or family income survey.
Children who are ages 8 through 18 and are part of a household receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or State-Funded Assistance are also eligible, the news release stated.
Students who do not qualify automatically can apply by submitting a summer EBT application when it is available, the release stated.
Families who need to apply, or who have other questions about SUN Bucks benefits, can call the SUN Bucks Contact Center at 1-833-543-3230 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For the latest updates on the SUN Bucks benefit program and applications, visit textsunbucks.dshs.wa.gov.