Dear Parent/Guardian,
Missouri SuN Bucks is a program to help families purchase food for their school-age children during the summer months of June, July and August. Families of students who were determined eligible for free or reduced price lunch during the regular school year (2024-2025) will receive a one-time $120 benefit per eligible student. The funds will be loaded onto an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card and mailed to the household address. If you receive SNAP or Temporary Assistance, your child’s benefits will be available on that card. These funds can be used to buy nutritious foods at authorized locations.
If your student received free or reduced-price meals during the 2024-2025 school year, his/her information has already been submitted to receive the benefit. Families who were not eligible for free or reduced-price meals during the 2024-2025 school year may still be eligible to receive the SuN Bucks benefit. Families can check if they are eligible and/or fill out an application by going to the Missouri Department of Social Services SuN Bucks website: https://mydss.mo.gov/SuNBucks.
Please see below for some frequently asked questions. Perry County School District does not operate this program, so our staff cannot answer any questions you may have. If you have any questions regarding the SuN Bucks Program, please contact the Department of Social Services, Family Support Division, at 855-373-4636.
Do I need to apply for Summer EBT?
The following streamlined certified students may not need to apply:
Students determined eligible through the free or reduced-price meal application
Students Directly Certified through SNAP or TANF
Students that are extended eligible—living in the same household as a student with direct certification benefits
Students in foster care
Students in a homeless, migrant, or runaway status
If your child does not fall in one of the categories above, you can apply here: https://www.healthytogether.co/onboarding/missouri-sun-bucks
Why was my SuN Bucks application denied?
Here are some common reasons a SuN Bucks application may be denied:
Your child’s school district doesn’t participate in the National School Lunch Program
You do not meet the income guidelines for the benefit
Incomplete application (examples):
Child's name does not match district records
Missing date of birth
If you do not understand why your application was denied, you can call the Family Support Division at 855-373-4636.
I applied for SuNBucks; how long will it take to get approved?
When you get your benefit will depend on if your child was automatically eligible or if you had to apply.
My child is automatically eligible: If your child is streamlined certified and automatically eligible and you did not have to apply, their benefits will be issued as soon as possible. EBT cards are processed through DSS. If your mailing address has changed you must notify DSS (855-373-4636). You will either get an EBT card in the mail, or if you already have one for SNAP or TA, your benefit will be added to the SNAP card.
I submitted an application: If you submitted a SuN Bucks application, please allow time for processing and eligibility review. If you qualify, you will receive an EBT card in the mail with instructions on how to use your benefit. If your application was denied, you will receive a letter with an explanation and information about your appeal rights. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) DOES NOT approve or process SuN Bucks applications. If you have questions about your SuN Bucks application, you must contact DSS (855-373-4636).
How much is the SuN Bucks benefit?
Students will get $120 per summer period. Summer operational period means the benefit period that generally reflects the period between the end of classes during the current school year and the start of classes for the next school year. The payment of $120 will apply to the entire summer period and be a one-time payment of $120.
How will my child get SuN Bucks benefits?
Missouri SuN Bucks benefits will be issued to an EBT card. If you receive SNAP or Temporary Assistance, your child’s Missouri SuN Bucks benefits will be available on the same card. If you do not have an EBT card, a new EBT card will be mailed to the address provided with your Missouri SuN Bucks benefit applied to it. Your new EBT card will be used to issue any benefits you are eligible for in the future, so be sure to keep it.
How long will SuN Bucks benefits stay on my EBT card?
Missouri SuN Bucks benefits expire and are removed 122 days from issuance. Missouri SuN Bucks are removed regardless of usage. Once benefits are removed from an EBT card, they cannot be replaced. Even though the benefits expire, you can keep your EBT card to receive Missouri SuN Bucks benefits faster next summer if you are eligible.
Can my student still participate in meals provided by the school if I receive SuN Bucks benefits?
Yes, students can receive SuN Bucks and still get meals provided by the school district during the summer period.
What if I did not receive benefits for all the children in my household, or I disagree with the benefit amount?
Please call the Family Support Division at 855-373-4636 and ask our team to review your case.
Where can I use my EBT benefits and what can I buy?
Participants who receive benefits through a State-administered Program will be able to purchase SNAP-eligible food, as defined in the Food and Nutrition Act, at any retail store approved for participation with SNAP. Supplemental foods are foods that contain nutrients determined by nutritional research to be lacking in the diets of children and promote the health of the population served by the program.
We just received the benefits in the mail, is this for the 2024-25 school year?
If you receive a card before May 31, those benefits were issued for the 2023-24 school year. DSS will start issuing benefits for the 2024-25 school year after June 1.
Who can I contact if I lost my SuN Bucks card?
You can contact DSS at 855-373-4636 for lost or stolen cards.
Who can I contact to see where my benefits are?
You can contact DSS to check if your district sent in the information for your child. If they haven’t, families can check if they are eligible and/or fill out an application by going to the Missouri Department of Social Services SuN Bucks website: https://mydss.mo.gov/SuNBucks.
Families must contact DSS for more information about the status of a benefit, denials, card questions, and benefit amounts.
Are there any restrictions when using an EBT card?
Yes, the same restrictions that apply for regular EBT cards will also apply to SuN Bucks cards.
Summer EBT benefits cannot buy any of the following:
• Hot prepared foods
• Foods prepared to be immediately eaten
• Vitamins, medicine, supplements
• Non-food items such as paper products, soap, or pet food
• Alcohol
• Tobacco
What if I have other questions about SuN Bucks?
For any other questions about EBT, please call the Family Support Division at 855-373-4636.