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Program offers $120 per eligible child for summer months
Source: NM Health Care Autority
SANTA FE — Families can now apply for SUN Bucks, a grocery benefit program designed to help cover food costs during the summer months.
“This program will help ease the burden of rising food costs while children are home from school over the summer,” said Sec. Kari Armijo, of the New Mexico Health Care Authority. “Summer should be a time of joy and growth for our children, not a time of worry about where their next meal will come from.”
SUN Bucks provides families with $120 per eligible school-aged child (ages 5 through 18) to buy groceries when school is out, helping ensure continued access to nutritious food. Most families will qualify automatically and do not need to take any action.
“SUN Bucks will help bridge the gap for families with children by providing critical support during the summer months,” said Secretary Mariana Padilla of the New Mexico Public Education Department. “Every child deserves access to nutritious food—no matter the season.”
In addition to free meals available at summer meal sites, the SUN Bucks program supports families by stretching grocery budgets during the summer. The Health Care Authority estimates that more than 271,000 K-12 students will benefit, delivering $32.5 million in total financial relief to New Mexico families.
Who qualifies automatically?
Your child may be automatically eligible for SUN Bucks if:
- They received free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program.
- Their school has reported them as homeless, a migrant, or in foster care.
- They received SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF (cash assistance) during the school year.
If your child is automatically eligible, you will receive a notice in the mail. No further action is required.
When and how benefits are distributed
- Benefits begin distribution on May 21, 2025.
- Additional distribution dates will follow for later applications.
- Families have 122 days to use the benefits from the date they are issued.
- All eligible children in a household will receive benefits on one card, issued in the name of the oldest child.
- Cards used last year will be reloaded with 2025 benefits.
- Replacement cards can be requested by calling the Customer Service Center at 1-800-283-4465.
What to do if your child is not automatically eligible
You can apply for SUN Bucks if:
- Your student attends a National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program-participating school.
- There is no approved National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program application on file with the school.
- Your household income is below 185% of the federal poverty level.
- You live in New Mexico.
To apply online: Click Here deadline to apply is August 19, 2025.
To apply by mail:
New Mexico Public Education Department
Attn: Summer EBT / SSWB
300 Don Gaspar Ave.
Santa Fe, NM 87501
For more information about SUN Bucks, visit the HCA website.
