Do you qualify? Sun Bucks returns in summer 2025 for some Louisiana families
Sun Bucks is returning to Louisiana for summer 2025, providing families with a one-time $120 grocery benefit for children who qualify for free or reduced school meals.
The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services made the announcement Monday in a news release. It stated most children who are eligible would be automatically enrolled, so they would not need to apply for the program.
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"Last year, of the nearly 670,000 Louisiana children that received over $80 million in SUN Bucks benefits, only about 1,500 were determined eligible though the application process," said Sammy Guillory, assistant secretary for family support at DCFS. "The rest were already automatically enrolled."
However, families should be sure to update their addresses with any program they use — Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program, Kinship Care Subsidy Program or income-based Medicaid.
Parents shouldn't forget to update their addresses for their child's school or foster care case so they don't face delays in receiving Sun Bucks benefits.
The benefit will begin being issued in the second half of May for those who are automatically enrolled and "continue throughout the summer months as applications are approved or a child's family begins receiving SNAP, FITAP, KCSP, or income-based Medicaid benefits," reads the release.
Sun Bucks must be used within 122 days of the issuance date. If not used, benefits will expire and cannot be added back, it reads.
For more information about Louisiana SUN Bucks, including Frequently Asked Questions, visit sunbucks.la.gov.
Children born between Aug. 8, 2006, and July 1, 2019, who received SNAP, FITAP, KCSP or Medicaid benefits for those below 185% of the federal poverty level anytime between July 1, 2024 and Aug. 8, 2025.
Children who applied and were individually approved to receive free or reduced school meals through the National School Lunch Program.
Families previously or already enrolled in SNAP will receive Sun Bucks on their existing EBT card.
Families that received Sun Bucks in 2024 will receive 2025 benefits on their same card.
New participants not enrolled in SNAP will receive a preloaded card via mail.
Call 1-888-997-1117.
Visit www.LifeInCheckEBT.com.
Use the LifeInCheck EBT mobile app.
Log into the CAFE system.
Those children who attend Community Eligibility Provision schools but who didn't complete an NSLP application and who don't receive SNAP, FITAP, KCSP or income-based Medicaid will need to apply to determine if they are eligible. Some children may be eligible based on their household's income.
To apply, parents can visit https://louisiana.summerebtapp.com. For more information, visit sunbucks.la.gov.
This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Does your child qualify? Get Louisiana Sun Bucks information here
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