SNAP Benefits Overhaul – California’s New Summer Program

California is set to introduce an exciting new summer scheme under the CalFresh program, aimed at combating food insecurity during the school break for low-income families. Known as the SUN Bucks Program, this initiative promises to provide essential support to ensure children have access to nutritious food while school is out. Let’s cut into how this program works and what steps are needed to activate it.

CalFresh Overview

CalFresh, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program and federally recognized as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is California’s dedicated effort to address hunger and improve nutrition. This program provides monthly benefits to low-income individuals and families, enabling them to purchase groceries and ensuring food security while promoting healthy eating habits.

Benefits are distributed electronically via an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used at authorized retailers, including grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and some online retailers.

SUN Bucks Program

The SUN Bucks Program, also known as Summer EBT (S-EBT), is designed to support families by providing $120 per eligible child to ensure they remain well-fed and nourished during the summer break. Managed by the California Department of Social Services, the SUN Bucks card will function similarly to the CalFresh EBT card, offering a seamless and convenient way for beneficiaries to access nutritious food.

Eligibility

Eligibility for the SUN Bucks Program is straightforward:

• Children aged 6-18 who are enrolled in CalFresh or Medi-Cal programs are automatically eligible for the SUN Bucks benefit.
• Children and young people up to age 22 who participate in a national school lunch or breakfast program and are approved for free or reduced meal prices will also be automatically enrolled in the SUN Bucks scheme.

Activation Process

To take advantage of the new summer scheme, eligible families will need to follow a simple activation process. Specific details will be provided closer to the program’s launch, but participants can expect a user-friendly procedure to ensure easy access to their benefits during the summer months.

To activate the SUN Bucks card, it simply needs to be used within 122 days of the funds being added, similar to how CalFresh EBT cards require usage to keep the funding active.

How It Works

CalFresh benefits are distributed electronically via an EBT card, which can be used at authorized retailers. The SUN Bucks card will function in much the same way, making it easy for families to access the nutritious food they need.

Use SUN Bucks

• Grocery Stores: Purchase a variety of healthy food options.
• Farmers’ Markets: Support local farmers while buying fresh produce.
• Online Retailers: Convenient shopping from home.

SUN Bucks Program

By expanding the reach of CalFresh through this summer initiative, California continues to make strides in its mission to alleviate food hunger and support healthy living for its low-income residents. The SUN Bucks Program ensures that no child goes hungry during the summer, providing much-needed support to families during the school break.

The SUN Bucks Program is an innovative and essential initiative to combat food insecurity during the summer months. With an easy activation process and wide accessibility, this program will ensure that low-income families can provide nutritious meals for their children, even when school is not in session. California’s commitment to supporting its residents through programs like CalFresh and SUN Bucks highlights the importance of food security and healthy living for all.

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