CALIFORNIA LAUNCHES SUN BUCKS FOR SUMMER 2026
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is deeply appreciative of our staff and many partners for their continued work in fighting childhood hunger. With this goal in mind, we are happy to announce the return of the SUN Bucks food program this summer!
Access Governor Gavin Newsom’s related news release in English and Spanish as well as a CDSS video message in English and Spanish.
SUN Bucks provides families $40 per month for food in June, July, and August ($120 total) when children have limited access to school meals.
SUN Bucks cards, which work just like CalFresh benefits, will begin arriving in late May and will continue to be delivered through this fall.
California was one of the first states in the nation to launch the program in 2024. Since that launch, more than $877 million in food purchases have been made across the state using SUN Bucks food benefits. In 2026, more than 3.5 million eligible children in California are automatically enrolled in the program.
Most eligible families do not need to take any action, as children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals, or receive CalFresh, California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), and/or Medi-Cal (certified at or below 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level), are automatically enrolled. Children will also be automatically enrolled if their school identifies them as being in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or part of a migrant family.
Families of children who are not automatically enrolled may apply by submitting a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application to their child’s school by August 31, 2026, to receive SUN Bucks benefits for summer 2026.
Thank you for your dedication, compassion, and continued hard work to serve children and families across California.
In partnership,
Jennifer Troia
Director
California Department of Social Services