The Sun BUCKS program, a new initiative authorized by a bipartisan U.S. Congress, is a crucial step in providing food dollars over the summer months to low-income families with school-aged children. This program, proven to reduce food insecurity and improve children's nutrition during summer break, is a testament to our commitment to the community. Governor Shapiro’s administration announced that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania would participate in this program in the summer of 2024. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees the program, and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) coordinates the benefit issuance in Pennsylvania.

The Cornell School District participates in both the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP), as well as the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) providing free breakfast and lunch to all students. Because your child is enrolled in our district, they are eligible for Summer EBT Sun Bucks, but this does mean they will receive this benefit.

If your child receives any of the following benefits, they will qualify for SUN Bucks:

     1. Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), or

     2. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or

     3. Medical Assistance with income that qualifies them, or

     4. Are homeless, runaway, migrant, foster, or in Head Start

Students who are homeschooled or are taught virtually for 100% of the school year are ineligible for Summer EBT Sun Bucks.

The school district sent out an email on June 20, 2024, to the parent/guardian of our enrolled students with the subject line Important Information from Cornell School District – Summer EBT SUN Bucks Notification. The notification contained your child’s eligibility for the SUN Bucks program.

NOTE: Unlike the previous pandemic program (P-EBT), not all children who attend CEP Schools qualify for SUN Bucks. You may need to apply for this benefit if your child is not directly certified for free school meals, or does not receive SNAP, TANF, or Medical Assistance with qualifying income.

If your child did not automatically qualify for SUN Bucks and you feel your child should receive this benefit, you can fill out a Summer EBT SUN Bucks application any time after July 1, 2024.  Applications must be submitted no later than August 31, 2024. Applications submitted on or after September 1, 2024, will not be eligible for 2024 SUN Bucks.

You can use one of the following Department of Human Services (DHS) resources for assistance:

DHS has an Eligibility Navigator that you can use to see if your child qualifies for SUN Bucks.

DHS SUN Bucks Webpage for Families - Summer EBT | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Summer EBT | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Statewide Customer Service Center - 1-877-395-8930, or 1-215-560-7226 in Philadelphia

CAO locator - https://www.dhs.pa.gov/services/assistance/pages/cao-contact.aspx

Please DO NOT CALL the school district or the Pennsylvania Department of Education with questions regarding your child’s eligibility for the SUN Bucks Benefit. They will not be able to assist you. You must contact the Department of Human Services (DHS) directly.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Just Harvest SUN Bucks Flyer