Summit County to offer SUN Bucks, a Summer EBT grocery program for low-income families
Low-income families with school-aged children across Summit County can now use a new Summer EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) program that provides food benefits while schools are closed for the summer.
The new SUN Bucks program will allow families to receive a one-time allocation of $120 for each eligible child to buy food at area grocery stores or farmers' markets. The funds will be automatically added to the household's Ohio Direction Card, or a benefits card will be mailed.
"We want to make sure every eligible family in Summit County participates in the SUN Bucks program this summer. Many children and families rely on free meals provided during the school year. SUN Bucks will help ensure no kid goes hungry over summer break,” County Executive Ilene Shapiro in a release. “Thankfully, many families will be automatically enrolled in the program and will begin receiving funds soon."
Most families who are receiving other benefits will automatically be enrolled in the SUN Bucks program. For example, if a household is enrolled in SNAP or Ohio Works First or receives Medicaid, the children will be enrolled without having to apply.
Families who have been approved for free/reduced meals from their school automatically receives this summer benefit as well.
To learn more or apply for SUN Bucks, please visit https://sebt.ohio.gov.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com, or on Twitter @athompsonABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Summit County adds new summer grocery benefits program SUN Bucks
