How to Activate SUN Bucks Card (Summer EBT)

SUN Bucks, also called Summer EBT or S-EBT, puts $120 per eligible child on a card families can use to buy groceries while school is out. Activation steps depend on whether your state mails a new card, reloads last year’s card, or adds funds to your existing SNAP EBT card.

What You Need to Activate Your SUN Bucks Card

• The physical SUN Bucks card (check the mail for a plain white envelope if your state issues new cards)
• The 16 digit card number printed on the front of the card
• Your child’s date of birth or birth year, which some states use during first time setup
• A 4 digit PIN you plan to set for the card
• The customer service number printed on the back of the card

How to Activate a New SUN Bucks Card by Phone

Most states that mail a brand new Summer EBT card require phone activation before the card works at checkout.

1. Call the number printed on the back of the card.
2. Enter the 16 digit card number when prompted.
3. Some states ask for the last 4 digits of the child’s Social Security number. If your state does not use an SSN for this step, it may instead ask for the child’s birth year, so have that ready.
4. Set a 4 digit PIN. You will enter this PIN every time you use the card at a store.
5. Confirm the PIN a second time if the automated system asks you to repeat it.

Once the call confirms activation, the card is ready to use at any retailer that accepts EBT.

If You Already Have a SNAP EBT Card, You Don’t Need to Activate

Some states skip a new card entirely and load Summer EBT funds onto a card you already have.

• If you already receive SNAP benefits, funds are added directly to your current SNAP EBT card. No activation call is needed, and your existing PIN still works.
• If your child received Summer EBT last year and qualifies again, benefits often load onto the same card from last year. Check the balance before assuming you need a new one.
• If you are unsure which method your state uses, call the number on the back of your most recent EBT card or your state’s Summer EBT contact line to confirm.

How to Set or Change Your SUN Bucks PIN

If phone activation does not walk you through PIN setup, or you need to change a PIN later, use the ebtEDGE app or your state’s cardholder website.

1. Download the free ebtEDGE mobile app or go to your state’s EBT cardholder website.
2. Log in or register using the card number.
3. Select the option to set or change your PIN.
4. Enter a new 4 digit PIN and confirm it.

You can also use these apps to check your balance and freeze the card if it is lost.

What You Can Buy With SUN Bucks

Swipe the card like a debit card at checkout, press the button for EBT, and enter your PIN. Summer EBT funds work at grocery stores, many farmers markets, and some online retailers, but they cannot be used for hot prepared food, alcohol, tobacco, or non-food items. Benefits typically expire 122 days after they are issued, so use the balance before it lapses.

What to Do If Your Address Changed Before Your Card Arrived

Cards are mailed to the address your state has on file, so an old address can delay delivery. Contact your state’s Summer EBT office or update your address through your state’s benefits portal before requesting a replacement card, since a new card sent to the wrong address will not solve the problem.

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Frequently Asked Questions