SUN Bucks 2025: Michigan’s Summer EBT Program Returns to Fight Child Hunger
State expands summer benefits to support low-income families and ensure food access for children during school break
In 2025, the State of Michigan reaffirmed its commitment to child food security by reintroducing the SUN Bucks (Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer – EBT) program.
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This initiative ensures that children from low-income households continue receiving access to nutritious meals during the summer months when schools are closed.
Fighting Summer Hunger: A Core Priority
Child hunger remains a silent yet serious issue, especially during summer vacation when traditional school-based meal programs come to a halt.
While many families rely on schools to provide consistent, nutritious meals throughout the academic year, the closure of cafeterias during summer break often leaves a significant gap—one that disproportionately affects low-income households.
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In communities where food insecurity is already high, the summer months can amplify existing vulnerabilities, leading to increased reliance on food pantries, charitable organizations, and short-term emergency solutions.
To directly confront this seasonal crisis, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), in close coordination with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), reintroduced the SUN Bucks 2025 program—a carefully structured initiative designed to extend access to healthy food beyond the school year.
With full endorsement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this program bridges the nutrition gap by providing direct financial support to families through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which can be used to purchase essential grocery items.
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What makes SUN Bucks particularly impactful is its focus on flexibility and dignity.
Unlike some meal distribution programs that require families to pick up meals at designated locations or attend group gatherings, SUN Bucks allows parents to shop according to their family’s preferences and cultural dietary needs.
This not only empowers families to make healthier food choices but also reduces stigma, allowing children and their caregivers to receive assistance without public exposure.
By prioritizing nutritional access during the summer—a period often overlooked in policy planning—Michigan demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to public welfare.
The initiative reinforces the idea that child hunger does not follow a school calendar, and neither should our solutions.
In doing so, the state reaffirms its commitment to holistic child development, recognizing that hunger, if left unaddressed, can negatively affect physical health, emotional stability, and future educational success.
How SUN Bucks Works in 2025
Benefit Value
Eligible families will receive a $120 one-time benefit per eligible child, calculated as $40 per month for the summer months of June, July, and August 2025.
This financial support is intended to supplement household grocery budgets and help parents provide healthy, balanced meals during the period when school-provided meals are unavailable.
The benefit not only reduces food insecurity but also eases the financial pressure many families experience over the summer, allowing them to maintain consistent nutrition for their children without sacrificing other essential needs.
Delivery Method
- Families already using the Bridge Card will have funds automatically loaded onto their existing card.
- Families not enrolled in EBT will receive a pre-loaded card by mail, along with a detailed program explanation.
Eligibility for SUN Bucks 2025
Who Qualifies?
| 🧒 Criterion | Eligibility Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Age & Benefits | Children aged 6 to 18 who received SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid between July 1, 2024, and August 31, 2025. (Medicaid must be under 185% of the federal poverty level.) |
| 🥗 School Meal Program | Certified for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program. |
| 📝 Application Approval | Approved through the Summer EBT application process during the designated period. |
Families must apply by April 15, 2025, to receive benefits in the first distribution round. Applications remain open through August 31, 2025, for subsequent disbursements.
How to Apply for SUN Bucks
Applications can be submitted in two ways:
- Online via the MI Bridges portal on Michigan’s official website.
- Paper applications will also be made available in the near future.
Early applications are strongly encouraged to ensure timely access to benefits.
Where Can SUN Bucks Be Used?
The $120 credit can be redeemed at:
- Grocery stores
- Convenience stores
- Farmers markets
- Participating online retailers under the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot
To locate nearby stores that accept SUN Bucks, families can use the SNAP Retailer Locator tool.
Important Notes on SUN Bucks Usage
- Expiration: Funds expire 122 days after being issued. Unused funds cannot be reinstated.
- Eligible purchases: SUN Bucks may be used for nutritious items such as fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, whole grains, and baby formula.
- Restrictions: Hot, prepared foods and non-food items are not eligible.
Other Summer Meal Programs in Michigan
In addition to SUN Bucks, Michigan families have access to other meal assistance initiatives:
- Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) – Known as Meet Up and Eat Up, it provides meals at schools, libraries, and community centers.
- Rural Non-Congregate SFSP – Known as Meals to Go, this program delivers meals to families in rural areas.
Both are operated by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and designed to reach underserved communities during school closures.
Why SUN Bucks Is Essential in 2025
In a year marked by economic uncertainty, inflation, and federal benefit rollbacks, the SUN Bucks 2025 program provides a critical safety net for Michigan’s children.
Its continued implementation reflects the state’s proactive stance on poverty reduction and public health.
This initiative:
- Reduces access barriers by integrating data from Medicaid, SNAP, and school lunch programs.
- Simplifies enrollment through accessible online platforms like MI Bridges.
- Enhances coordination across agencies, ensuring seamless benefit distribution.
Conclusion: Feeding Children, Supporting Futures
SUN Bucks 2025 is more than a seasonal assistance program—it represents a comprehensive response to one of the most pressing social challenges of our time: child hunger during school breaks.
For thousands of families across Michigan, summer vacation does not only signal time off from classes; it often means the loss of reliable access to breakfast and lunch, meals that many students depend on throughout the academic year.
In this context, SUN Bucks serves as a vital support system, ensuring that children are not forced to choose between a healthy diet and the realities of economic hardship.
By leveraging inter-agency coordination, streamlined enrollment systems, and strong public awareness efforts, the state has created a model that minimizes barriers and maximizes impact.
The result is a program that not only distributes food assistance but also promotes long-term health, educational readiness, and social stability.
As hunger remains a key determinant of academic performance, behavioral development, and lifelong outcomes, programs like SUN Bucks are essential to building a stronger, healthier, and more equitable future.
Michigan’s approach demonstrates that effective public policy can be proactive, compassionate, and results-driven.
This continued investment in child nutrition, equity, and resilience positions Michigan as a national leader in social innovation—one that puts children first and understands that feeding a child today is investing in tomorrow’s success.
