SNAP Recipients Get Extra Money This Month in California
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in California will be getting some extra money this month.
Why It Matters
More than 40 million low-income Americans benefit from SNAP, which allows them to use EBT cards on qualifying food purchases at their local grocery stores.
During the summer, SNAP recipients may face additional financial hardship as children no longer benefit from free or reduced lunch that's offered at public schools. The extra money in California's SNAP benefits this month could mark the difference between a child going hungry or not.
What To Know
Roughly 4 million California children are set to receive automatic "SUN Bucks" food benefits via an EBT card that will be mailed out later this month. The food benefits are an extra $120, with additional grocery funds going out in monthly $40 installments through the fall.
"We are proud that California was one of the first states in the nation to launch this new federal program last year, which is helping families in need across California," California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Director Jennifer Troia said in a statement. "Last year, nearly $500 million in food purchases were made using SUN Bucks food benefits by families and caregivers in California."
Households are automatically enrolled if their child receives free or reduced-price school meals or if the family already receives CalFresh, California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids or Medi-Cal benefits. Children in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or part of a migrant family are also automatically enrolled.
Children who aren't automatically enrolled can apply by submitting a school mail application or Universal Benefits Application to their school by September 2.
Fruit and vegetables are seen at a Walmart supermarket in Houston on May 15.
Fruit and vegetables are seen at a Walmart supermarket in Houston on May 15.
RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images
What People Are Saying
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "While most students look forward to summer break, for some, the period is not without hardships. For some children, accessibility to affordable food may present problems. Under SNAP, California has developed a system for the summer months where SUN bucks are issued to help eligible families cover the costs of some food purchases."
Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "This will definitely help, although you are only providing $6/day to feed an eligible individual based on a 20/day month. Many won't see this as enough but it definitely helps."
What Happens Next?
All "SUN Bucks" cards should be sent by the end of July. All SUN Bucks funds must be used within 122 days.
"This extra funding ensures children who receive free or reduced meals during the school year can be provided for at the dinner table during the months when classes aren't in session," Beene said. "California is not alone in this, as other states have attempted similar programs to provide meals to the most vulnerable during the summer months. It's a good trend."
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