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Illinois SUN Bucks 2026 (Summer EBT)

SUN Bucks provides $120 per eligible school-age child for groceries during summer months when school meals stop. Illinois families with kids on free/reduced school lunch are typically auto-enrolled. Administered by Illinois ABE.

→ Illinois state portal

How Illinois SUN Bucks works

Amount: $120 per eligible child for summer 2026 (June-August)
How received: Loaded onto existing EBT card (if family has SNAP) OR a new SUN Bucks card mailed to family
Spend on: Groceries at SNAP-authorized retailers (no hot food, no restaurants — same rules as SNAP)
Eligibility: School-age kids 5-18 enrolled in free/reduced-price school meals during the 2025-26 academic year
Auto-enrollment: Illinois usually auto-enrolls based on school meal data; no separate application needed for most families

How Illinois families apply

If your child gets free/reduced school meals — likely auto-enrolled
If not auto-enrolled: apply through https://abe.illinois.gov/ or call 1-800-843-6154
Cards mail in late May / early June — watch your mail
If you don't receive a card by mid-June, call 1-800-843-6154

Did Illinois opt out? Most states participate in 2026. A few have opted out. Check at states without summer EBT 2026 to confirm Illinois's status.

What if my state opted out?

Find summer meal sites near me — federal Summer Food Service Program at thousands of free-meal sites
Apply for regular Illinois SNAP — covers the whole family year-round
Use Illinois food pantries for groceries
WIC for kids under 5

Frequently asked questions

When do SUN Bucks deposit in Illinois?

Most states deposit either in 3 monthly $40 chunks (June, July, August) or one $120 lump sum in early June. Illinois ABE confirms the exact schedule.

Can my kids use SUN Bucks at restaurants?

No — same rules as SNAP. Groceries only. Some farmers markets accept it.

What if I lost the SUN Bucks card?

Call 1-800-843-6154 to report. Replacement card mails in 7-10 business days.

Do older teens (16-18) qualify?

Yes if enrolled in free/reduced-price school meals during 2025-26 academic year, in most states.

Related Illinois resources

Page operated by Feed America (EIN 92-1761881), 501(c)(3) public charity. Founded 2021 by Sharika Parkes in Houston, TX. Distinct from the larger separately-incorporated Feeding America (EIN 36-3673599, Chicago) — separate organization. Illinois SUN Bucks administered by Illinois ABE.