- Pierz Schools
- Summer EBT is now SUN Bucks
Lunch & Nutrition Services
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Do you Qualify?
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Program Qualification:
If you are participating in a state program such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program), FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations), Medicaid (as determined by MN Dept of Human Services), or Foster status, you will automatically qualify for SUN Bucks benefits. The Department of Children Youth and Families will mail your card to you in late May/early June to the address on file with the Department of Children Youth and Families. Parents can call the SUN Bucks helpline at 651-431-4608 or submit a ticket http://sebthelp.state.mn.us/ for an address change.
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Homeless Qualification
If you have already applied for free & reduced-price meal benefits or qualify based on homelessness (McKinney Vento Act), and you have received your approval letter, you will automatically qualify for SUN Bucks benefits. We will automatically sign you up, and you will receive the SUN Bucks card in the mail at your primary household listed in the Parent Portal if DHS approves your household. Please check to be sure your contact information is up-to-date. To change your address, please contact sbuerger@pierzschools.org.
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Based on Income
If you are not participating in a state program and have not yet applied for free & reduced-price meal benefits, but think you may qualify, please apply! If you qualify, we will automatically sign you up for SUN Bucks benefits. The Dept of Children Youth and Families will let you know if you qualify.
To receive your SUN Bucks card in the initial run of cards by the Dept of Children Youth and Families, you must apply and be approved for free & reduced-price meal benefits by Friday, May 23 for them to review and approve of your household.
This chart was last updated on July 1, 2024. The income requirements to qualify for the free and reduced-price meal program are the same.
Household size
Annual
Monthly
Twice per month
Every two weeks
Weekly
1
$28,953
$2,413
$1,207
$1,114
$557
2
$39,128
$3,261
$1,631
$1,505
$753
3
$49,303
$4,109
$2,055
$1,897
$949
4
$59,478
$4,957
$2,479
$2,288
$1,144
5
$69,653
$5,805
$2,903
$2,679
$1,340
6
$79,828
$6,653
$3,327
$3,071
$1,536
7
$90,003
$7,501
$3,751
$3,462
$1,731
8
$100,178
$8,349
$4,175
$3,853
$1,927
For each additional family member, add
$10,175
$848
$424
$392
$196
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Homeschool
If your child is homeschooled, you may apply directly to the state for the SUN Bucks card. SUN Bucks applications are processed by the Minnesota Department of Education and will be required to have the same eligibility components, including household income requirements. To fill out a SUN Bucks application directly with the Minnesota Department of Education click here. The deadline to apply is August 31, 2025. Those applying directly will be required to meet the same eligibility components, including household income requirements. Notifications of approval or denial will begin in the spring of 2025. For any questions about the SUN Bucks application, please email sebt.mde@state.mn.us
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SUN Bucks Benefits
Summer EBT is now SUN Bucks. SUN Bucks is an income-based food support program that provides families with $120 per eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out for the summer. Most eligible children are automatically enrolled. When children no longer receive free meals at school, their households might need extra help to put food on the table. The SUN Bucks program is designed to meet this seasonal need.