HAYWOOD COUNTY -- As the school year winds down, Haywood County Health and Human Services is reminding families that the SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) program is back to ensure no child goes hungry during the summer break.
SUN Bucks provides a one-time $120 grocery benefit per eligible school-aged child. These funds are issued on a debit-like EBT card and can be used to purchase healthy foods at most grocery stores, farmers markets, and even select online retailers.
Does Your Child Qualify?
Many children in Haywood County will be automatically enrolled, meaning no application is necessary if they:
Attend a school participating in the National School Lunch Program and are already approved for free or reduced-price meals.
Participate in Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Work First, or certain Medicaid programs (income under 185% of the federal poverty level).
Are in Foster Care, the McKinney-Vento program, or the Cherokee Tribal Food Distribution Program.
Received SUN Bucks previously and are still enrolled in a qualifying school.
Not automatically enrolled? Families whose children attend participating schools but don't meet the automatic criteria can still apply based on household income.
CRITICAL DEADLINE: Update Your Info by March 31st
To ensure your SUN Bucks card arrives on time and at the correct location, Haywood County officials urge households to verify their contact information by March 31, 2026.
If you receive FNS, Medicaid, or Work First: Contact your Haywood County DSS caseworker to update your mailing address.
If you do not receive those benefits: Contact your child’s school directly to ensure they have your current address, email, and phone number on file.
What Can You Buy?
SUN Bucks work just like SNAP benefits. You can use them for:
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Meat, poultry, and fish
Dairy products, breads, and cereals
Seeds and plants that produce food for the household
Note: Benefits expire 122 days after they are issued, so be sure to use them before they are removed from the card.
How to Learn More
For local assistance or to check your eligibility status:
Call: NC EBT Call Center at 1-866-719-0141 (Select Option 2)
Online: Visit ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks to take an interactive eligibility quiz.
Local News: Stay tuned to wnctimes for more updates as the summer enrollment period begins.