Introducing Virginia SUN Bucks

Introducing Virginia SUN Bucks (Summer EBT)

Virginia SUN Bucks (aka Summer EBT), a new grocery benefit program for eligible school-aged children has just launched. Qualifying families will receive a one-time $120 per-child benefit.

Most eligible students will receive SUN Bucks automatically while other eligible students will need to apply. The following groups of students are automatically enrolled:

• SNAP and TANF recipients,
• Income-eligible Medicaid recipients,
• Students who applied for and received free school meals in the 23-24 school year.

NOTE: Families who attend a CEP school where all students receive free meals without applying will not automatically receive SUN Bucks unless they fit one of the other categories. The CEP schools in Arlington are Abingdon, Barcroft, Barrett, Carlin Springs, Drew, Kenmore, and Randolph. 

Households already enrolled in SNAP will receive the benefit loaded onto their existing Virginia EBT card. Others will receive a new Virginia SUN Bucks EBT card mailed to the address on file at the children’s school. Like SNAP benefits, families can use Virginia SUN Bucks to purchase eligible food items at grocery stores, farmers markets or other authorized retailers.

Families who are not automatically enrolled will download the and complete the short application (available in 6 languages) and mail it directly to Virginia SUN Bucks, c/o VDSS, 5600 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060 by Aug 30. Beginning July 22 there will be a call center where people can apply over the phone. 

A few important notes:

• Issuance of funds will begin in August.
• Families have 122 days to spend the funds or they will expire.
• Eligibility for SUN Bucks is by student, not by family. Families may receive SUN Bucks automatically for one child but may need to apply for another child.
• Applying for and receiving SUN Bucks will NOT affect immigration status or ability to apply for citizenship.

Food Security Mini-Grants Applications Due Soon

The Arlington County Department of Human Services announces a grant funding opportunity, the Food Security Mini-Grants, to support the implementation of its Food Security Strategic Plan.

The maximum grant award per organization is $25,000. Organizations may apply for one project. A total of $150,000 in one-time funding is available.

Applications are now live and will be accepted until Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at 5 p.m. Awarded funds will be available to be spent from October 2024 through June 2025. Find all of the information here.

A list of FY24 grantees and their funded projects is available here.

Additional Information

Visit the Arlington County food assistance website for up-to-date information about resources in the community. The Food Assistance Resource Guide and flyers listing available food resources are available here.

If you have questions about food security in Arlington or have information to share, please contact Stephanie Hopkins, Food Security Coordinator at shopkins@arlingtonva.us or 703-228-1065.