EBT Benefits SNAP 2025

DHS and Hawaii Department of Education team up to offer SUN Bucks to families with school-age children

During the summer, when classes are not in session, families with school-age children will receive a one-time payment to cover the cost of meals thanks to a joint initiative by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Hawaii Department of Education.

The SUN Bucks program, also known as Summer EBT, will provide grocery benefits to eligible families during the school break. Each eligible child will receive a one-time payment of $177. While most families will not need to apply for SUN Bucks, some parents will need to apply.

It is crucial that families keep their mailing addresses up to date with their children's schools and on SNAP and TANF records, as benefits will be mailed to EBT cards at the addresses on file in school or public assistance records.

SUN Bucks Eligibility Criteria

The following children will automatically receive SUN Bucks:

• Those households that received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits between July 1, 2023 and August 4, 2024.
• Children individually approved for free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during the 2023-2024 school year.

The following children may be eligible, but will need to submit an application:

• Homeless children.
• Immigrant children.
• Children who receive free or reduced-price school meals but did not complete an NSLP application, such as those in schools with a community eligibility provision where all students receive free or reduced-price meals without an application.

Families are advised to visit the DHS website in June for additional information and details on how to proceed.