Summer SUN Bucks

IN-PERSON STUDENTS:

Students must meet the following requirements to qualify for SUN Bucks:

• Enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program & the School Breakfast Program. 
• Qualifies for free or reduced eligibility by either direct certification or by application for Educational Benefits.
   

ONLINE STUDENTS:

Only SPPS Online School students who also participate in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) are eligible to receive SUN Bucks (S-EBT). In some but not all cases, students who participate in Medicaid may also receive SUN Bucks (S-EBT).  Additionally, online students who are certified as foster or homeless will also qualify for benefits.

Many children will receive their SUN Bucks cards in late May/early June, including all those who are: 

• Enrolled in Minnesota Family Investment Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Medical Assistance (must meet income requirements) or in foster care before March 30, 2025. 

Some children will receive their SUN Bucks cards June through September, including: 

• Children who have an approved application for free and reduced-price school meals 
• Homeless and migrant children 
• Children who are enrolled on or after April 1 in the Minnesota Family Investment Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Medical Assistance (must meet income requirements) 
• Children who are placed in foster care after April 1 

*Cards for eligible students in the same household may arrive on different days.  Some reasons for this may include but are not limited to eligible student data being uploaded to the state on different days, delays in processing SUN Bucks cards at the State and/or delays in USPS mail delivery.  SPPS does not distribute the cards and we are not able to see when card were mailed.

For students who already qualify for free or reduced eligibility:

• Ensure that household contact information is up-to-date in Campus, including parent or guardian name, address and phone number.  Contact your child's school if updates are needed.

For students whose family did not complete an Application for Educational Benefits:

• Complete an Application for Educational Benefits online on your Campus Portal (left side under the "more" tab) or by contacting the Nutrition Services team to request a paper copy (nutritionservices@isd761.org or 507-444-8616).  You will receive a letter in approximately 10 business days letting you know if your child qualifies for free, reduced or paid eligibility.  Only free or reduced students qualify for SUN Bucks.
• Ensure that household contact information is up-to-date in Campus, including parent or guardian name, address and phone number.  Contact your child's school if updates are needed.

For students who qualified for paid eligibility:

• Based on the information provided on your household's Application for Educational Benefits, your student currently does not qualify for SUN Bucks (S-EBT) benefits.  You are encouraged to complete a new application if your household income has decreased or your household size has increased since you completed your application, and to see if your student(s) now qualify for S-EBT benefits.

To check on the:

• status of your Application for Educational Benefits, contact the Nutrition Services office at 507-444-8616 or email nutritionservices@isd761.org.
  • If leaving a voicemail message or email, be sure to include;
    • Parent/guardian name
    • Phone number
    • Child's full name
• status of your SUN Bucks, contact the Minnesota SUN Bucks hotline at 651-431-4608.