Apply for Summer Nutrition Program Before Aug 31
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today encouraged eligible Virginia families to apply for Virginia SUN Bucks, one of the Commonwealth’s summer nutrition programs that helps families put food on the table during summer break.
SUN Bucks offers eligible families a one-time $120 benefit for each eligible school-aged child during the summer months, when most schools close and children lose access to free or reduced-price school meals. More than 628,000 Virginia children have already received SUN Bucks since the program launched in June — but with nearly 705,000 children expected to be eligible statewide, thousands of eligible families may still qualify. Eligible families are able to apply for this summer’s benefit until August 31.
“Virginia families are feeling the strain of rising grocery costs — particularly as a reckless war and chaotic policies are driving up prices and threatening Virginians’ ability to put food on the table. Congress made the largest cuts to food assistance in history last year — but here in Virginia, we are using every tool we have to keep kids fed,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “Programs like SUN Bucks and SUN Meals are a crucial way to fill that gap when school is out. Virginia families still have time to apply to receive their SUN Bucks this summer, and my Administration is committed to making sure families can get the help they need as easily as possible.”
SUN Bucks can be used to buy groceries — including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and meat — at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other businesses that accept SNAP EBT benefits. Virginians can also increase the value of their SUN Bucks through Virginia Fresh Match, a network of farmers markets and local food retailers that doubles the value of SNAP purchases on fruits and vegetables.
Virginia is one of 39 states to participate in the federal Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program, or SUN Bucks. As part of Governor Spanberger’s commitment to making the Commonwealth more affordable and working better for Virginians, the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) introduced a new online application to make it easier for eligible households to access SUN Bucks benefits. Households have three ways to apply: by submitting a new online application, by printing and mailing a paper application, or by calling the SUN Bucks Call Center at 866‑513‑1414 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
“No family should have to worry about where their next meal will come from simply because school is out for the summer,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin B. Figueroa. “I want every Virginia family to know this: there are resources to help, and thanks to our new online application, it’s easier than ever to see if you qualify for SUN Bucks.”
“Connecting eligible children with SUN Bucks means more Virginia families can afford nutritious meals during the final weeks of summer. SUN Bucks helps stretch grocery budgets by putting healthy food within reach for families who need it most,” said Virginia Department of Social Services Commissioner Duke Storen. “The new online application helps us reach more eligible households while improving the customer experience from start to finish.”
As part of H.R.1, President Donald Trump’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Congress cut $187 billion in federal funding for SNAP assistance over the next decade — the largest reduction in the program’s history. According to new dashboards launched by the Spanberger Administration, nearly 7,000 Virginians are at risk of losing their food assistance due to these federal cuts. Virginia’s biennial 2026-2028 state budget contains nearly $1 billion in investments focused on protecting Virginians from the impacts of H.R.1 — including $135 million to support greater SNAP administrative costs.
