Pursuant to the authority granted under Section 13(A) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, Missouri has been approved to administer Summer EBT in 2024. This new program is a dedication and commitment between the lead agency, the Department of Social Services (DSS), along with DESE. The approved plan provides Missouri children who are eligible for free and reduced-price school meals the opportunity to receive critical nutrition benefits this summer.

Most eligible children will receive the benefit automatically and do not need to apply; however, households who need to apply can submit the application online by August 31, 2024. Families can use the Missouri SuN Bucks Eligibility Navigator to see if they need to complete an application. 

Families with children who meet the criteria will receive an EBT card by mail, or the benefit will be added to their existing EBT card. Criteria for automatic eligibility includes:

• The household already participates in SNAP or Temporary Assistance,
• The child is age 7-17 and in foster care, homeless, a migrant, or
• The child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program, and the household income meets the requirements for free or reduced-price school meals.

For additional information, resources and Frequently Asked Questions on the Missouri SuN Bucks program, please visit the Missouri Department of Social Services SuN Bucks webpage. 

• Missouri SuN Bucks Letter to Schools
• Recorded Summer EBT Student Data Collection Instructions 
  • PDF - Summer EBT Student Data Collection PDF Instructions 
• Free or Reduced-Price Eligible-Summer EBT Student Data Collection Spreadsheet