Beginning July 1, families can apply for the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) Virginia SUN Bucks program.  Virginia SUN Bucks is a new, federal food benefit program created to reduce childhood hunger by providing eligible children with a one-time $120 food benefit on a SUN Bucks card to purchase groceries.

Children already enrolled in SNAP, TANF, an income-based Medical Assistance program, or who applied for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program for the 2023-2024 school year will automatically be enrolled in Virginia Sun Bucks without any need to submit a separate application.  Benefits will be distributed beginning in August on a rolling basis, and will be loaded onto your current SNAP EBT card, or a Virginia SUN Bucks card will be mailed to the address on file with your school.

Families with children that attend Burlington Elementary, Herman L. Horn Elementary, Masons Cove Elementary, Mount Pleasant Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, Northside High, Northside Middle or W.E. Cundiff Elementary must submit a separate application.  Apply by visiting VirginiaSunBucks.com starting July 1 to print and mail the application to Virginia SUN Bucks, c/o VDSS, 5600 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA, 23060. Families wishing to apply over the phone can do so later in July. More information about a call-in application process will be available on the Virginia SUN Bucks website after July 1.