Dear Parent(s) and Guardian(s),

SUN Bucks Hawaii

SUN Bucks FAQs for CEP Schools

1. What are SUN Bucks? SUN Bucks Hawaii (Summer EBT) is a grocery benefits program to help families buy food during the summer when schools are closed. Families get a one-time benefit of $189 for each eligible school-age child for the summer. Children receiving these benefits can still participate in other summer meal programs.

2. How does SUN Bucks work? SUN Bucks benefits are loaded onto a SUN Bucks EBT card, which will be mailed directly to the student’s home in late May 2026. Students who received SUN Bucks in Summer 2025 can access their benefits using the same SUN Bucks EBT card, starting May 27, 2026. 

3. Who automatically qualifies (no application is required) for SUN Bucks ? 

   1. School-aged children who live in a household that participated in SNAP or TANF in any month from July 1, 2025 through August 2, 2026.

   2. School-aged children who have been identified as a foster child, or identified by their school as homeless, migrant, or runaway.

   3. School-aged children who attend a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program and were approved for free or reduced-price meals during the 2025-26 school year. **NOT APPLICABLE FOR CEP SCHOOLS**

4. Who needs to complete a SUN Bucks application? School-aged children who attend a CEP school but whose household does not receive SNAP or TANF must submit an application to determine eligibility. For additional SUN Bucks eligibility questions, please visit sunbucks.dhs.hawaii.gov and review the FAQs.

5. How do I apply for SUN Bucks? Visit sunbucks.dhs.hawaii.gov to apply online or download a paper application.

6.  

Thank you