The Sun BUCKS program was 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 continue to participate in this program. 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 automatically 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 will be sending out an email sometime in June 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 or reduced-price school meals at school based on information already on file with the Department of Human Services.

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.  Applications must be submitted no later than August 31. Applications submitted on or after September 1, will not be eligible for the current year SUN Bucks distribution.

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.

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

DHS SUN Bucks website: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/sunbucks

DHS has an Eligibility Navigator. This is a tool on the DHS SUN Bucks website that allows families to determine if their child is automatically eligible for SUN Bucks and whether they need to apply online.

SUN Bucks application – a fillable online form on the DHS SUN Bucks website or a paper form obtained at the family’s County Assistance Office (CAO).

• SUN Bucks applications are due by 8/31 to be considered for the current year benefit. Applications received by DHS after 8/31 will be considered during the 2025 summer application period.

Family FAQs – printed on the DHS SUN Bucks website.

FAMILY GUIDANCE (ANSWERS TO MOST COMMON QUESTIONS)

1. SUN Bucks cards should be retained for future benefits. Families should save previously issued SUN Bucks cards.

2. Students are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks and do not need to apply if they are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

3. Families whose children are not automatically eligible may apply for SUN Bucks on the DHS SUN Bucks webpage: dhs.pa.gov/sunbucks.

4. Not all CEP students automatically receive SUN Bucks. Only students who are DC matched or live in the same househould economic unit as a DC matched student or are other categorically eligible (foster, homeless, runaway, migrant) are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks at CEP schools.

5. DHS will begin issuing benefits in mid-July.

6. DHS will issue benefits in the following method:

   a. First, if available, benefits are applied to the family's state EBT card if possible.

   b. Second, if possible, benefits will be applied to a previously issued SUN Bucks card.

   c. Lastly, benefits will be applied to a new SUN Bucks card.

7. The family must contact DHS for all specific questions about their SUN Bucks benefit. Do not contact your child's school.

8. Benefits will EXPIRE four months after the issuance date.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

County Assistance Office (CAO) Locator: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/services/assistance/pages/cao-contact.aspx

Summer EBT Income Eligibility Guidelines: https://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/resource/sebt-income-eligibility-guidelines

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