Virginia teams up with USDA for SUN Bucks program

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement a new program called Virginia SUN Bucks .

On Tuesday, July 30, the Virginia Poverty Law center hosted an informative webinar to provide an overview of the new initiative that helps families with grocery costs.

According to Public Benefits Attorney and Virginia Hunger Solutions Director at Virginia Poverty Law Center Cassie Edner, the program provides families with a grocery benefit to feed their children during the summer months when they are not receiving free or reduced-priced meals at school.

“Not only does this have a positive impact on our local economies, but it also reduces childhood food insecurity during months that food insecurity rises because children aren’t in school and aren’t receiving those school meals,” Edner said.

Families will receive a one-time benefit of $120 for the summer for each eligible child. Benefits are distributed on an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card and can be used to buy fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and meat at authorized grocery stores, farmers markets and retail stores.

An estimated 790,000 students are eligible for the program, with 650,000 automatically receiving benefits through supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP), temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), foster care and Medicaid.

Schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) are also applied. Children who do not attend a school in the NSLP, such as kids who are homeschooled, attend virtual school or attend non-public school are eligible if they have Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) with income verified at or below 185% of the poverty line.

Edner said long lasting effects of the SUN Bucks program will also provide an economic boost.

“SNAP benefits are about $1.50 of economic returns for SNAP,” Edner said. “SUN Bucks uses the same model. So that would be roughly $142 million that we will be receiving in economic benefits if all of the 780,000 children, who are eligible, start receiving these benefits.”

Approximately 140,000 eligible Virginia children will need to apply before the Aug. 30 deadline to receive benefits.

You can fill out the Virginia SUN Bucks application and print, sign and mail it to Virginia SUN Bucks, c/o VDSS, 5600 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA, 23060. Applications must be received by Aug. 30, 2024. You can also call (866)-513-1414.

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