What are SunBucks?
SunBucks EBT benefits complement existing FNS nutrition assistance programs
Such as Summer Food Meal Sites, Seamless Summer and WIC, ensuring children and their families have reliable access to essential nutrition during the summer months.
New Mexico Early Childhood Education
New Mexico Public Education Department
Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
New Mexico Department of Health
Quick Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I Eligible?
• Aqua Category: School-aged children who currently participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and in some cases Medicaid (not all categories of Medicaid qualify) are eligible for SunBucks. You should receive a notice from HSD informing you that you qualify.
• Teal Category: School-aged children who are Homeless/Runaway, Foster, Migrant, and Head Start are eligible for SunBucks. You should receive a notice from your School District that you qualify.
• If school-aged children who do not fall under the Aqua or Teal Categories, who are enrolled in a currently participating NSLP/SBP school (public or private) may be deemed eligible for SunBucks EBT if the household meets the income threshold level at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, and by applying through the SunBucks EBT Application.
How can I get SunBucks?
Your school-aged child is AUTOMATICALLY ENROLLED, and you do not need to do anything to receive SunBucks if:
• Aqua Category: School-aged children who currently participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and in some cases Medicaid (not all categories of Medicaid qualify) are eligible. You should receive a notice from HSD informing you that you are automatically enrolled into SunBucks. Because these children are automatically enrolled you do not have to do anything more to participate in SunBucks.
• Teal Category: School-aged children who are Homeless/Runaway, Foster, Migrant, and Head Start are eligible. You should receive a notice from your school district informing you that you are automatically enrolled into SunBucks. Because these children are automatically enrolled you do not have to do anything more to participate in SunBucks. Check on your status here. Contact your school district to check your child’s status as a Homeless/Runaway, Foster, Migrant, and Head Start.
You MUST APPLY to participate in SunBucks if:
If your child does not fall into the Aqua or Teal Categories and is enrolled in a currently participating NSLP/SBP school (public or private). You may qualify for SunBucks if the household meets the income threshold level at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Do I need to apply for SunBucks?
Your school-aged child is AUTOMATICALLY ENROLLED in SunBucks and you do NOT need to apply if:
• Aqua Category: School-aged children who currently participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and in some cases Medicaid (not all categories of Medicaid qualify) are eligible. You should receive a notice from HSD informing you that you qualify. Because these children are automatically enrolled you do not have to do anything more to enroll. Check on your status here.
• Teal Category: School-aged children who are Homeless/Runaway, Foster, Migrant, and Head Start are eligible. You should receive a notice from your School District that you qualify. Because these children are automatically enrolled you do not have to do anything more to enroll. Contact your school district to check your child’s status as a Homeless/Runaway, Foster, Migrant, and Head Start.
You MUST apply to participate in SunBucks EBT if:
• If your child does not fall into the Aqua or Teal Categories and is enrolled in a currently participating NSLP/SBP school (public or private). You may qualify for SunBucks EBT if the household meets the income threshold level at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Are children who are not enrolled in a currently participating NSLP/SBP school eligible forSunBucks?
It depends.
Automatically Enrolled – Category Group Aqua:
School-aged children who currently participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and in some cases, Medicaid (not all categories of Medicaid qualify) are eligible and are automatically enrolled in SunBucks. You should receive a notice from HSD informing you that you qualify. Because these children are automatically enrolled you do not have to do anything more to enroll. Check your status here.
Automatically Enrolled – Category Group Teal:
School-aged children who are Homeless/Runaway, Foster, Migrant, and Head Start are eligible and are automatically enrolled in Sunbucks. You should receive a notice from your School District that you qualify. Because these children are automatically enrolled you do not have to do anything more to enroll. Contact your school district to check your child’s status as a Homeless/Runaway, Foster, Migrant, and Head Start.
School-aged children who do not qualify under the Aqua or Teal groups, and do NOT attend a school that is actively participating under NSLP/SBP cannot establish their SunBucks EBT eligibility by completing a Sunbucks EBT Application.
What does school-aged mean for SunBucks EBT?
• Under 18 by July 1, 2023 (children turning 18 during the SY23-24 school year are still eligible)
• Age 5 by June 30, 2024
Can children enrolled at an actively participating NSLP/SBP school, who are older or younger than the age of compulsory school attendance participate in SunBucks EBT?
Yes, children of any age who are enrolled in NSLP/SBP-actively participating schools are eligible to participate in SunBucks if they fall into the Aqua or Teal Category, OR they reside in a household with an income level at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level and complete a SunBucks EBT Application..
My child attends a CEP/P2 school, are they automatically enrolled?
No. To be eligible for SunBucks benefits, children must be individually determined to be eligible for SunBucks EBT benefits. This is different from Pandemic EBT where all children in CEP/P2 schools were eligible for benefits.
If your child attends a CEP/P2 school, they are only automatically enrolled if they fall under the Aqua or Teal Categories.
If your child attends a CEP/P2 school and does not fall into the Aqua or Teal Categories they are not automatically enrolled. To participate in SunBucks you must apply and may qualify for SunBucks if the household meets the income threshold level at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
I completed a USDA National School Lunch Free and Reduced Application (FRL) for my household this year, should I apply for SunBucks online?
Yes, we strongly encourage anyone who completed an FRL Application earlier this year to still apply online. Your FRL Application was submitted to the school at the beginning of the school year. It’s possible the information you provided nearly a year ago may have changed. We want to make sure we have the most up-to-date information on file to determine if your student qualifies for SunBucks. However, please note, that you do NOT have to apply if your child falls into the Aqua or Teal Categories, as they are automatically enrolled in SunBucks.
When can I apply online for SunBucks EBT Benefits?
Our online SunBucks Application is open from February 15 through August 15.
What happens if I run into trouble when applying for SunBucks online?
Call New Mexico Public Education’s Summer EBT Hotline at (505) 695-8454 to speak with a NM PED Summer EBT Representative Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
How can I opt out of SunBucks?
There is a section where you can opt-out via the online application.
I already submitted my SunBucks Application online, and I realized I made a mistake, can I go back and fix it?
Once the Application is submitted, you cannot change your submission. Call New Mexico Public Education’s Summer EBT Hotline at (505) 695-8454 to speak with a NM PED Summer EBT Representative Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
I completed my SunBucks Application online, but was not given a decision if my children qualify for SunBucks EBT.
Applying online for SunBucks does not immediately determine if your children qualify for SunBucks. It takes our team two weeks to process your application. Please wait two weeks before following up.
It is has been more than two weeks since I have submitted my application for SunBucks online, who can I follow up with?
Call New Mexico Public Education’s Summer EBT Hotline at (505) 695-8454 to speak with a NM PED Summer EBT Representative Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5:00 p.m.