Switzerland County Elementary

Summer 2024 will be the first year for Indiana SUN Bucks, a new benefits program that provides families $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out. Summer is a time when many children lose the free and reduced-price meals they get at school, and when households might need a little extra help putting meals on the table. Most eligible families will get these benefits automatically, but some parents will need to apply. This new program is available in addition to free meals that kids of all ages can get at summer meal sites in their communities.

Benefits of SUN Bucks

• Helps parents and caregivers buy healthy foods for their children.

• Gives families the flexibility to select foods that fit their culture and lifestyle.

• Improves food security and diet quality for participating children.

Eligibility

Children are eligible for the program if:

• the household already participates in SNAP, TANF, or income-based Medicaid, or

• the school-aged child is a foster child defined as being a ward of the state, homeless, or migrant, or

• the child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program and the household income meets the requirements for free or reduced-price school meals.

If your household income is less than 185% of the Federal level, the school aged children in your household may be eligible for a new program called SUN Bucks. Households that have been notified of eligibility by Direct Certification do not need to apply.

Participating families will receive $120 for each eligible child on a card that you can use to buy food during the summer at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other authorized retailers. If you think your children are eligible, you can get SUN Bucks by filling out a simple application. To apply for SUN Bucks, apply via your child’s school by Wednesday, May 1 or after Wednesday, May 1 visit https://indianasunbucks.com. Applications will be accepted until Friday, August 16, 2024 in order to get benefits for this summer. If you need assistance filling out an application, or if you have questions, submit a ticket to the online help form: https://idoe.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/11.

You will need to provide your child’s name, school, date of birth, along with the names of other people in your household, your household income, and address where you would like the benefit card to be sent. You will not need to provide any documentation to apply. Receiving Summer EBT will not affect children or families’ immigration status.

In addition to SUN Bucks the children under 18 years of age in your household can also receive free meals during the summer at a summer meal site. You can call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (or text 914-342-7744 with the keyword “summer meals”) to find the location closest to you.

If you have questions, you can contact Gayla Bullock at gbullock@switzsc.org or call 812-427- 3809 ext 5011.

If approved and you receive more than $120 per eligible child in your household, do not use the benefits, and submit a ticket ot he online help form https://idoe.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/11 as soon as possible to confirm or correct the error.

Non-Discrimination Statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly. In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, his institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.