How to Apply for SUN Bucks

Virginia SUN Bucks helps eligible families pay for groceries during summer break, when most schools are closed.

Most eligible families do not need to apply. However, households who do not automatically qualify can apply year-round by applying online or downloading, completing and mailing the printable application.

Click here to apply online

Download the printable application

Once completed, the printable application should be mailed to:

Virginia SUN Bucks
c/o Virginia Department of Social Services
5600 Cox Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060

Applications for SUN Bucks 2026 will be processed by VDSS beginning May 2026. Schools and local departments do not process these applications.

How to Apply

Families who do not automatically qualify can apply year-round using the online application or the paper application that can be downloaded, completed and mailed to:.

Applications for SUN Bucks 2026 will be processed by VDSS beginning May 2026. Schools and local departments do not process these applications.

Application Tips

Be sure to include all household members and write the total number of members in the space provided
List income amount, source and how often it is received
Be sure to include your child's student ID #
Be sure to include the last four digits of your child's Social Security number
Sign the application
If you do not know an answer, you may write “I do not know”

Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Do I Need to Apply for Virginia SUN Bucks?

Your Situation	What to Do
Your household receives SNAP, TANF or income-based Medicaid.	Do not apply. Your child should receive SUN Bucks automatically.
Your child applied for and received free or reduced-price school meals this year through NSLP	Do not apply. Your child should receive SUN Bucks automatically.
Your household does not receive SNAP, TANF or income-based Medicaid and your child did not apply and was approved for free or reduced-price meals through NSLP.	You must apply for SUN Bucks.
Your child attends a school that provides free meals to all students (Community Eligibility Provision).	You should apply, unless your household receives SNAP, TANF or income-based Medicaid.

Who May Not Qualify

Situation	Eligibility
Child is homeschooled	May not qualify
Child attends a virtual school	May not qualify
Child attends a non-public school that does not participate in the National School Lunch Program	May not qualify
Exception: Household receives SNAP, TANF or income-based Medicaid.	Child may still qualify

Who Gets SUN Bucks Automatically?

You do not need to apply if any of the following are true:

Your household receives SNAP, TANF or income-based Medicaid.
Your child applied for and received free or reduced-price school meals this school year through the National School Lunch Program.

Some schools offer free meals to all students without an application.
If your child attends one of these schools, you may still need to apply unless your household also receives SNAP, TANF or income-based Medicaid.

Who Needs to Apply?

You must apply if:

Your household does not receive SNAP, TANF, or income-based Medicaid and
Your child did not apply for free or reduced-price school meals with the National School Lunch Program.

You should also apply if your child attends a school that provides free meals to all students under the Community Eligibility Provision, unless your household already receives SNAP, TANF, or income-based Medicaid.

Who Does Not Qualify?

Your child may not qualify if they:

Are homeschooled
Attend a virtual school
Attend a non-public school that does not take part in the National School Lunch Program

Exception: Children may still qualify if the household receives SNAP, TANF, or income-based Medicaid.