Families have a limited window to apply for financial aid through the state’s SUN Bucks Summer EBT program, which offers a Summer Payment to help cover food expenses during the summer months. This initiative provides $177 per eligible child to help cover food costs during the summer months when children are no longer receiving school lunches.
The program is part of a broader effort to support families who may struggle with food security when schools are closed. The deadline for applications is approaching quickly, with August 3rd as the final day.
According to information from The Mirror, the program is aimed at addressing the needs of families in the state, in line with other state-run support initiatives such as Social Security payments.
The SUN Bucks Program: A Lifeline for Families and Summer Payment Support
With schools closed, many children lose access to free or reduced-price lunch, which can be a significant burden for families. To combat this issue, the SUN Bucks Summer EBT program offers direct financial support to ensure children have enough food to eat throughout the summer.
First Lady Jaime Kanani Green highlighted the program’s importance during a recent press conference, emphasizing Hawai‘i’s deep-rooted values of community care.
In Hawai‘i, we care for one another — we mālama our keiki, our kūpuna and our ‘ohana, – she said.
SUN Bucks reflects those values – Green continued,
It’s about ensuring every child has what they need nutritionally to grow and thrive — not just during the school year, but all year long. No child in Hawai‘i should ever go hungry, and this program helps us live up to that kuleana.
According to the Department of Human Services (DHS), more than 80,000 children have already benefited from the SUN Bucks program, amounting to an impressive $14 million in food assistance.
Eligibility Criteria for SUN Bucks
The eligibility breakdown for the program is as follows:
- Automatic Eligibility: Children from households that received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits at any time between July 1, 2023, and August 4, 2024, will receive SUN Bucks automatically.
- Free or Reduced-Price Lunch: Children who were approved for free or reduced-price school lunch via the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during the 2023-24 school year will also receive benefits automatically.
- Additional Applicants: Other children who may not fall into the above categories but are still eligible must apply for SUN Bucks. This includes:
- Children experiencing homelessness
- Migrant children
- Children who receive free or reduced-price school meals but did not complete an NSLP application
The program’s efforts go beyond providing aid; it also strengthens the local economy by directly contributing to grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and food systems, Governor Josh Green explained.
SUN Bucks is a reminder that when we invest in our keiki, we invest in the future of our state – he said.
These benefits don’t just help families — they strengthen our local economy by putting dollars directly into our grocery stores, farmers markets, and food systems.
Expanding Support Across the Country
Other states are following suit with similar initiatives aimed at helping families during the summer months. In California, the United Way Bay Area has launched a universal basic income program pilot, which began in November 2024 and will extend through 2025. This program provides $1,000 per month to qualifying families.
Meanwhile, in Ohio, the Ohio Mothers Trust continues its support for single mothers in the Columbus area, with $500 monthly distributions. Additionally, a special “creative” program is distributing $850 monthly payments to participants.
