Applications open in New Mexico for Summer EBT program

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The New Mexico Public Education Department has opened applications for a program that is aimed at keeping students fed during the summer.

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SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT (S-EBT), is a federal program that helps families by giving them money to buy groceries during the summer when children are not in school. Families that qualify for this program will get $120 for each child that’s part of the program.

The money will go on an EBT card and can be used at grocery stores, farmers markets, and some online retailers.

Who qualifies and how to apply

PED said there will be some students who are not eligible for SUN Bucks. Students who are not automatically eligible will need to apply; however, if a student does not attend an NSLP/SBP participating school, the student is not eligible for SUN Bucks. Some Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) and private schools do not participate in NSLP/SBP.

Automatically eligible (No Application Needed):

A student that has been approved for free or reduced-priced meals by having filled out a school meals application in a school participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP);
A student’s school may have reported the child to be homeless, a migrant, or in foster care; or
A student received SNAP, MAGI-Children’s Medicaid (only those on Medicaid categories 401, 403, MA-SSI, DDW or Foster Medicaid 066), or TANF any time during the school year and was between the ages of 5 through 18.
Parents will be sent a notice to inform them of their child’s automatic eligibility.

Apply for SUN Bucks:

Must attend an NSLP/SBP participating school.
If your student does not have an approved NSLP/SBP application on file with the school.
If your student attends a school that participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program and provides free meals for all, they are not automatically eligible and may still need to apply to receive the SunBucks benefit.
Have a household income that is less than 185% FPL.
Reside in the state of NM.

Families will have 122 days to use the benefits from the date they are issued. If there is any unspent benefit on the 122nd day, the benefits will be removed from the child’s card.

To learn more about SUN Bucks and to apply, click here.