The new SNAP benefit will allow families to spend $120 on food for each school-age child
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is available to most income-eligible families and individuals. Interested individuals can apply for SNAP benefits at their local human services office or state agency to determine eligibility and receive updates.
Summer Benefits: SNAP Increase
This summer, a new SNAP benefit increase, known as Summer EBT or SUN Bucks, will be introduced. This program is designed to provide food benefits to qualifying children throughout the summer. Thanks to this project, each eligible child will receive a total of $120 in food benefits, helping to reduce childhood hunger when they do not have access to free or reduced-price meals.
SNAP Benefit Increase Details: SUN Bucks
SUN Bucks is a new summer grocery benefit that allows families to spend $120 on food for each eligible school-age child. However, not all states will participate in Summer EBT 2024. This SNAP benefit increase is intended to be a vital resource for low-income households, providing food subsidies to qualifying children. Families should stay informed and take advantage of available resources, as updates on participating locations and eligibility requirements are provided on an ongoing basis.
Due to the end of the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program in 2023, this SNAP benefit increase will be implemented with certain modifications. Areas such as American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, the Cherokee Nation, the Chickasaw Nation, among other states, territories and tribes will participate in Summer EBT 2024. The list of participating areas will be updated as new information becomes available.
Eligibility Requirements for Increased Summer SNAP Benefits
Children automatically qualify for Summer EBT/SUN Bucks if their household already receives SNAP benefits. In addition, in most states, children automatically qualify if the household meets certain specific requirements. For those who participated in the previous P-EBT program and are wondering about their eligibility for Summer EBT 2024, it is important to note that while the two programs are similar, they do have differences.
For some children who automatically received P-EBT, an application for Summer EBT will be required. This includes children who attend schools designated as “community eligibility” but who do not automatically qualify due to receiving assistance such as SNAP in their homes. If there are questions about eligibility, it is recommended that the application be submitted.
SNAP Benefit Amounts Without the Summer Increase
SNAP benefits are determined by household size. A single person can receive up to $291, while a household of eight can receive up to $1,751 per month. Listed below are the approved payment amounts based on the number of people in each household.
- 1 person: $291
- 2 persons: $535
- 3 persons: $766
- 4 persons: $973
- 5 persons: $1,155
- 6 people: $1,386
- 7 people: $1,532
- 8 people: $1,751
It is important to note that some exceptional states, such as Alaska, provide higher SNAP benefits. The higher monthly payments are adjusted for inflation, and can range from $2,865 to $3,487, depending on household size and geographic location. Similarly, in the Virgin Islands, SNAP benefits can range from $375 for one person to $2,252 for a family of eight, with adjustments for high inflation.