Summer EBT — also called SUN Bucks — is now a permanent federal program that puts grocery money on a card for kids during summer break, when school meals aren’t available. It’s in its third year in 2026, and the benefit amount and list of participating states have both changed since it launched.
How Much Is the 2026 Summer EBT Benefit?
Eligible families get $120 per child for summer 2026, delivered either as a lump sum or as $40 monthly deposits, depending on the state. Two children means $240, three means $360, and so on — there’s no cap on the number of eligible kids in a household.
Hawaii and most U.S. territories get a higher amount to reflect cost of living: $189 per child in Hawaii and $180 per child in most territories.
Which States Are Participating in Summer EBT 2026?
39 states plus Washington D.C. are running Summer EBT in 2026: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Iowa is new to the program for 2026.
Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands also participate, along with five tribal nations in Oklahoma (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee Creek, and Otoe-Missouria) that run their own programs even though Oklahoma as a state has opted out.
Which States Are NOT Participating in 2026?
Twelve states are sitting out Summer EBT for 2026: Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. Utah participated in 2025 but opted out for 2026. If you’re in one of these states, look into the Summer Food Service Program instead, which offers free meals at schools, parks, and other sites, including grab-and-go meals in some rural areas.
Who’s Automatically Eligible?
Your child is automatically eligible — no application needed — if your household already receives SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR benefits, or if your child is approved for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program. In most states, kids on Medicaid also qualify automatically. Kids in foster care, Head Start, or migrant families, or who are experiencing homelessness, generally qualify automatically too.
Do I Need to Apply?
If you’re not automatically eligible, you can still apply if your household income is under 185% of the federal poverty line (for example, under about $50,500/year for a household of three). Applications go through your state’s Summer EBT or SUN Bucks website — each state runs its own portal and sets its own deadline, typically in August. Check your state’s program page for the exact date.
When Will I Get My Card or Deposit?
Most states are issuing benefits between mid-May and early July 2026, with a handful of states still finalizing exact dates. Depending on your state, the money lands on your existing SNAP EBT card, last year’s Summer EBT card, or a new card mailed to your address on file. If you’ve moved recently, update your address with your child’s school and your SNAP office so the card doesn’t go to the wrong place. Once loaded, benefits expire 122 days after the issuance date, so don’t let the card sit unused.
What Can You Buy With Summer EBT?
Summer EBT follows the same purchasing rules as regular SNAP: fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry and fish, dairy, bread and cereal, and snack foods are all covered. It can’t be used for hot prepared food, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, pet food, or household items like diapers or paper towels. If your state has a SNAP junk-food restriction in place, the same restriction applies to your Summer EBT card.
Looking Ahead: 2027
Summer EBT is now a permanent program under federal law, so it isn’t going away — the open question each year is which states opt in and what the inflation-adjusted benefit amount will be. Iowa’s 2026 debut suggests more of the current holdout states could join in 2027, though states like Florida and Texas have shown no indication of reversing course. I’ll update this page once USDA publishes 2027 benefit levels and states confirm participation, typically in the spring.
For the latest on SNAP benefit amounts and deposit dates in your state, see our SNAP benefits guide.
Key Takeaways
- Eligible families get $120 per child in 2026 (higher in Hawaii and U.S. territories), paid as a lump sum or three $40 monthly deposits depending on the state.
- 39 states plus Washington D.C. are participating in 2026, including new participant Iowa, but 12 states — including Florida, Texas, and Georgia — are sitting it out.
- Most families don't need to apply: kids on SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR, or approved for free/reduced-price school meals, are automatically eligible.
- Benefits generally arrive between mid-May and early July 2026 and expire 122 days after they're issued, so use them before they lapse.
