What is the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SUN Bucks) Program?
The Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer Program, or SUN Bucks provides food assistance to households with school-age children who are eligible for free or reduced-priced school meals during the summer, when they don't have access to meals at school. The benefit is $120 per eligible school-aged child. Each eligible child will receive a Summer EBT card loaded with SUN Bucks (SUN Bucks) benefits.
This program is a partnership between the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, and the USDA, Food and Nutrition Services.
What do I need to know about SUN Bucks?
If your child is certified as eligible for federal free or federal reduced-price school meals and attends a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, they will be automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks.
Additionally, eligibility for SUN Bucks may be established in other ways. In North Dakota, your child is eligible to receive a SUN Bucks card if your child’s school participates in the National School Lunch Program AND:
- Your child receives free meals at school AND your household income is at or under 185% of the 2023-2024 federal poverty level (see table below); or
- You applied for School Meals through your school district AND your household income is at or under 185% of the 2023-2024 federal poverty level (see table below); or
- Your household participates in SNAP or TANF; or
- Your child is experiencing homelessness, a migrant, or in foster care; or
- Your child attends a Head Start program administered by the school district.
If your child’s school does not participate in the National School Lunch Program, they may still be eligible for SUN Bucks if your household participates in SNAP or TANF or your child is in foster care.
SUN Bucks Eligibility by Family Size & Income Table (Effective: July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024)
Family Size | Annual | Monthly | Twice-Monthly | Bi-Weekly | Weekly |
1 | $26,973 | $2,248 | $1,124 | $1,038 | $519 |
2 | $36,482 | $3,041 | $1,521 | $1,404 | $702 |
3 | $45,991 | $3,833 | $1,917 | $1,769 | $885 |
4 | $55,500 | $4,625 | $2,313 | $2,135 | $1,068 |
5 | $65,009 | $5,418 | $2,709 | $2,501 | $1,251 |
6 | $74,518 | $6,210 | $3,105 | $2,867 | $1,434 |
7 | $84,027 | $7,003 | $3,502 | $3,232 | $1,616 |
8 | $93,536 | $7,795 | $3,898 | $3,598 | $1,799 |
For Each Additional | +$9,509 | +$793 | +$397 | +$366 | +$183 |
Please check back for updates on how to apply for SUN Bucks.
A one-time SUN Bucks benefit amount of $120 will be issued to each eligible child. The benefits will be placed on a SUN Bucks Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.
Please check back for updates on when SUN Bucks cards will be issued.
Yes, households can receive replacement benefits if it is reported that food purchased with SUN Bucks benefits were destroyed in a household misfortune or disaster. To request a replacement the household would need to fully complete the Request for Replacement Benefits Due to Loss of SNAP Benefits.
Submit your request by:
Email: ndsebt@nd.gov
Phone: 701.328.7328 (711, TTY)
Mail: DPI Attn: SEBT 600 E Boulevard Ave, Dept 201 Bismarck ND 58505
SUN Bucks benefits expire and are removed 122 days from issuance. Once benefits are removed from an EBT card, they cannot be replaced.
Activation instructions will be included with the card.
Cards are accepted at SNAP authorized food retailers. A list of authorized food retailers can be found at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator.
A mobile app for managing your account, ebtEDGE, is available Apple Store and Google Play.
For more information visit the EBT webpage.
Replacement cards can be requested via the EBT Helpline (800.630.4655), cardholder portal, or the mobile application on a smartphone.
See the chart below to find out who to contact for more information:
| I have questions about: | Who do I contact? |
| ebtEDGE Mobile App Cardholder Portal: www.ebtEDGE.com |
| Visit the Summer EBT Portal Email: NDSEBT@nd.gov Phone: 1-701-328-7328 |
| Email: NDSEBT@nd.gov |