It’s official. Thousands of families across the United States will receive a new round of checks this summer, as the government rolls out direct payments of $120 per child to help cover the cost of food during the summer 2025 break.
This economic assistance is designed to support U.S. citizens who are most in need, specifically targeting families with children who would otherwise lose access to free or reduced-price school meals during the long summer months. These government subsidies are part of a broader effort to ensure that no child goes hungry when school cafeterias close and household expenses rise, and they will be distributed automatically to eligible families without the need for additional paperwork or applications.
Official: SNAP is the backbone of food assistance
The backbone of this initiative is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which has long served as a lifeline for millions of Americans. SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, provides direct payments to help low-income families purchase groceries.
While the program is federally funded, each state manages its own distribution and sets specific qualifying criteria based on federal guidelines. The new summer 2025 checks are closely tied to SNAP eligibility, ensuring that the families who rely most on government support are the first to benefit from these additional funds.
How and when Families will receive the $120 Payments
The federal government’s new program, often referred to as ‘SUN Bucks’, will provide $120 per child for families with children between the ages of 6 and 18. The goal is to help families cover the extra food costs that arise when children are home from school and not receiving daily meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP).
To qualify for this government subsidy, families must already be enrolled in SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). Alternatively, families with children participating in NSLP or SBP are also eligible. This means that most families who currently receive food assistance will automatically qualify for the new summer payments.
For eligible families, the process is straightforward and stress-free. There is no need to fill out additional forms or submit new applications. The direct payments will be automatically loaded onto existing EBT cards, which are already used by SNAP recipients to purchase groceries.
For those who do not have an EBT card, one will be sent by mail. The timing of the payments varies by state, with some states beginning distribution in May and others rolling out the funds in June or later. This staggered approach ensures that families across the United States receive the support they need, when they need it most, and can plan their summer grocery budgets accordingly.
It’s important to note that the distribution of these economic assistance payments is being managed at the state level, which means that the exact timing and method of delivery may vary. Families are encouraged to monitor their EBT accounts and stay in touch with their state’s SNAP office for updates. In most cases, the process will be seamless, with the funds appearing automatically on the EBT card. This eliminates the need for families to navigate complex bureaucratic processes or worry about missing out on the assistance they need.
The launch of the SUN Bucks program and the distribution of checks this summer come at a time when the future of SNAP and related programs is uncertain.
There have been discussions at the federal level about potential cuts to SNAP funding, which could shift more responsibility to the states and reduce the level of support available to families. For now, however, the $120 per child summer payments represent a concrete step toward ensuring food security for millions of children across the United States.
