Don’t miss your chance to use $120 in Summer Food Benefits before they expire on October 17

Families across the country have just days or weeks left to use their SUN Bucks benefits before they expire 122 days after issuance. While New York families face an October 17 deadline for their first wave of benefits, similar expiration dates are hitting households nationwide as this crucial summer food program enters its critical final phase.

SUN Bucks provides $120 in grocery benefits per eligible school-age child to help families bridge the gap when school meals aren't available during summer months. For many grandparents caring for their grandchildren, these benefits represent a significant boost to their grocery budget during what can be a financially challenging time.

The program, officially known as Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) , has proven remarkably successful in its early rollout. Nearly 600,000 Washington children received SUN Bucks over the summer of 2024, demonstrating the program's substantial reach and impact on American families.

Why October deadlines matter nationwide

While the original focus centered on New York's October 17 expiration, the reality is more complex. States issued benefits at different times throughout the summer, creating a cascade of expiration dates that families need to track carefully.

Benefits expire exactly 122 days after they are issued to each household's card, which means families who received benefits in June are seeing them expire in October, while those who received benefits later in the summer have more time.

For example, New Mexico issued specific deadline warnings, with some benefits expiring as early as September 20, 2025, with permanent removal of unused funds after that date.

Key expiration dates for New York families

If you’re in New York, here’s a quick rundown of when your SUN Bucks might expire, depending on when you received them:

• Issued June 18: Expires October 17
• Issued June 21: Expires October 20
• Issued July 8: Expires November 6
• Issued August 20: Expires December 19
• Issued September 11: Expires January 10, 2026

If you’re not sure when your benefits were issued, don’t panic! You can check your balance and expiration date by visiting the Summer EBT website, logging into the ebtEDGE portal or app, or calling 1-888-328-6399 or 1-833-452-0096.

A tale of two Americas: participating vs non-participating states

One of the most striking aspects of the SUN Bucks program is the geographic divide it creates. Thirteen states—Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming—chose not to participate in Summer EBT for 2025.

This means millions of children in these states miss out on this federal nutrition assistance, creating a patchwork of food security support that varies dramatically based on where families live.

How to check your benefits before time runs out

The process for checking SUN Bucks benefits varies by state, but most offer multiple convenient options:

Universal methods:

• Check the back of your EBT card for a customer service number
• Use the SNAP Retailer Locator to find stores near you that accept benefits
• Look for the ebtEDGE app or website in your state

Also read: October's best fast-food deals will stretch your budget further than ever

State-specific resources:

Many states have established dedicated hotlines. For example, Maryland residents can call 1-800-332-6347 and select the Maryland SUN Bucks option, while Washington state offers support at 833-543-3230.

Smart shopping strategies to maximize your benefits

SUN Bucks can be used to purchase food from authorized retailers, including many grocery stores, farmers' markets, convenience stores, and online retailers. The same places that accept SNAP typically accept SUN Bucks.

Priority shopping list:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Protein sources like meat, fish, and beans
• Whole grain breads and cereals
• Dairy products
• Healthy snacks for active children

Families should prioritize spending SUN Bucks before other benefits like SNAP, since they have a shorter expiration date. Many states automatically use SUN Bucks first when both types of benefits are available on the same card.

Also read: Protect your benefits! Find out if EBT card fraud is behind your delayed refill!

When benefits expire: what happens next

Benefits that are expired, lost, or stolen won't be replaced. Once the 122-day deadline passes, those funds are permanently removed from the system.

This creates urgency for families who may have forgotten about their benefits or are unsure how much remains on their cards. The “use it or lose it” nature of the program means that checking balances and spending remaining benefits should be an immediate priority.

The bigger picture: a permanent solution to summer hunger

Unlike the temporary Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program that ended in 2023, SUN Bucks represents a permanent expansion of the federal nutrition safety net. Children whose families receive SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or other income-based benefits are automatically enrolled, as are children who attend schools offering the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program and qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

This automatic enrollment feature is particularly helpful for busy grandparents and caregivers who might otherwise miss application deadlines or be unaware of available programs.

Planning ahead for 2026

States are already planning for the next cycle of SUN Bucks benefits. Hawaii has announced that its SUN Bucks program for Summer 2026 will operate from May 30, 2026, through August 2, 2026, indicating that the program is becoming a predictable, annual resource for families.

For families managing tight budgets, this predictability allows for better financial planning throughout the year, knowing that additional grocery support will be available each summer.

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Key Takeaways

• New York families have until October 17 to use their $120 in Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) food benefits, or the funds will expire, with each issuance of benefits expiring 122 days after being loaded onto the card.
• SUN Bucks provide crucial support for families experiencing food insecurity over the summer, especially as more than 85% of New York households report food prices rising faster than their income.
• Not all states participate in the Summer EBT program, but eligible families in participating states receive extra grocery money for each child, which can be used at supermarkets, farmers’ markets, and some online retailers.
• Families can check their card balance and benefit expiry via the Summer EBT website, the ebtEDGE portal or app, or by phoning the relevant helplines, to make sure they don’t lose out on unused benefits.

Have you used SUN Bucks this summer? Did you discover a new favorite recipe or a great local market? Or maybe you have tips for stretching those benefits even further?