Maryland DHS: SUN Bucks Eligibility May Signal Unused SNAP Benefits

The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) is utilizing the SUN Bucks summer nutrition program to identify and enroll eligible families into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). According to reporting from WBAL-TV, officials within the Maryland DHS have observed that a significant number of individuals who are automatically registered for SUN Bucks also meet the eligibility requirements for SNAP but are not currently enrolled in the program.

This effort aims to bridge the gap for families who qualify for federal and state food assistance but have not navigated the application process for year-round benefits. By leveraging the automatic registration data from the summer program, the state is attempting to reach those in need of more consistent nutritional support.

The Maryland SUN Bucks Program

Maryland SUN Bucks is a summer nutrition assistance initiative designed to help families with school-aged children purchase groceries during the summer break, a period when school-provided meals are unavailable. The program is operated through a partnership between the Maryland Department of Human Services, the Maryland State Department of Education, and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services.

Eligible students receive a total of $120 in benefits for the summer. These benefits are distributed as $40 per month for the months of June, July, and August.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for benefits under the Maryland SUN Bucks program, a school-aged child between the ages of 5 and 18 must meet specific criteria. Eligibility is granted if the child is enrolled in a Maryland school that participates in Free and Reduced-Price School Meals (FARMS) and meets one of the following conditions:

• The household already participates in Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Medical Assistance/Medicaid (MA).
• The child applied for and was enrolled in the School Breakfast Program (SBP) or Free and Reduced-Price School Meals (FARMS) during the 2024-2025 school year.
• The child is in foster care, or is identified as homeless, migrant, or a runaway.
• The child does not meet the above criteria but applies and is determined eligible for FARMS before August 31, 2025.

Enrollment and Application Process

The Maryland DHS employs an automatic enrollment process for the majority of eligible students. Parents or guardians do not need to take action if their child is in foster care, if the child is aged 5 through 18 and part of a household receiving Medicaid, TCA, or SNAP benefits, or if the child received free or reduced-price meals at school during the previous school year.

Households that are automatically enrolled typically receive an enrollment notice from the Department of Human Services at the beginning of the summer. For those who believe their child is eligible but did not receive a notice, the state provides an online application process. To receive benefits for the current summer, applications must be submitted by August 31 of each year.

Benefit Distribution and Usage

Maryland SUN Bucks benefits are issued via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. The method of delivery depends on the family’s existing relationship with state assistance programs. For families who have received SNAP or TCA benefits at any time since July 1, 2024, the SUN Bucks funds are loaded onto their existing SNAP EBT cards.

Children who do not have an existing SNAP or TCA card receive their benefits on a specific white card labeled Maryland SUN Bucks issued in the child’s name.

Recipients are cautioned that these benefits are not permanent. Any unused Maryland SUN Bucks benefits expire 122 days after the date they were issued. The Maryland DHS encourages families to check their balances and utilize the funds before the expiration date.

For questions regarding eligibility or program details, individuals can contact the Maryland SUN Bucks option at 1-800-332-6347.