Governor Moore Announces Record Investment and Reach for Maryland SUN Bucks Program in 2025

According to a press release from the Office of Governor Wes Moore, Maryland’s Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program, known as Maryland SUN Bucks, achieved a significant milestone in 2025 by serving a record number of students and distributing the largest investment to combat childhood hunger during the summer months in the state’s history. Between June and August 2025, the program provided benefits to 604,869 students, an increase of 18,000 students compared to the same period in 2024. The total investment in the SUN Bucks program for the summer reached $72.5 million.

The Maryland SUN Bucks program is designed to ensure that students have access to food when school meals are not available during the summer break. The program operates across all 24 jurisdictions within Maryland and is a collaborative effort between the Maryland Department of Human Services, the Maryland State Department of Education, the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services. An innovative direct certification process and a straightforward online application aim to streamline access for eligible children.

A key feature of the SUN Bucks program is its direct certification process, which automatically enrolls most eligible recipients. In 2025, 98% of SUN Bucks recipients were automatically enrolled, meaning they did not need to submit a separate application. This automatic enrollment applies to students who are already receiving benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance, free or reduced-price lunch, Medicaid, or those in out-of-home care. Each participating student receives $40 per month on their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card for June, July, and August, totaling $120 per student for the summer.

The program’s expansion in 2025 builds upon its previous success. Over the past two years, Maryland SUN Bucks has demonstrably reached a significantly larger number of children than the previous Summer SNAP benefits it replaced. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to address child poverty and ensure that no Marylander faces food insecurity.

Families with questions about the Maryland SUN Bucks program can contact the SUN Bucks Hotline at 1-800-332-6347. Additional information about the program is available on the Department of Human Services website at dhs.maryland.gov/sunbucks. Maryland residents can also check their eligibility for various benefits and apply for assistance through MarylandBenefits.gov.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of Governor Wes Moore

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