Phase 2 SUN Bucks Benefits Start Going Out This Week

July 26, 2024

Families Advised to Watch for Plain White Envelope in Child’s Name

July 23, 2024


BATON ROUGE, LA - Following the successful rollout of Phase 1 of SUN Bucks, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services will begin issuing Phase 2 benefits this week. Phase 2 will be rolled out in waves based on eligibility groups over the next several weeks, impacting around 320,000 Louisiana school-aged children. Eligible students include those who received Medicaid, Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP), or Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) benefits during the 2023-2024 school year, as well as children who qualified for free or reduced-price school meals. Each child will receive a one-time payment of $120 loaded onto a newly issued EBT card, arriving by mail.

Phase 1 of SUN Bucks provided close to $39 million in benefits to more than 320,000 children who received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.


Phase 2 Benefits Distribution Details:


  • Eligibility:
  • Children aged 5-18 who received Medicaid, Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP), or Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) benefits during the 2023-2024 school year.
  • Children who received free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) during the 2023-2024 school year, based on their individual household income.


  • Card Issuance: Phase 2 recipients will receive new EBT cards mailed to the address on file with their respective case or school. This distribution will occur in waves based on eligibility groups (Medicaid, FITAP, KCSP, NSLP) over the next several weeks. EBT cards will be issued at a rate of about 75,000 per week. Recipients are advised to look out for plain white envelopes with an Erie, Pennsylvania, return address containing their SUN Bucks card and activation instructions. Envelopes will be addressed to the eligible child. Families with more than one child may receive their children’s cards at different times.


  • Benefit Usage: SUN Bucks can be used to purchase SNAP-eligible food items at stores that accept EBT cards. The benefits must be used within 122 days from the date of issuance.


  • Support and Information: A dedicated SUN Bucks helpline is available at 833-323-7482, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Families with questions or who need to update their mailing addresses can call the helpline for assistance. Questions can also be emailed to SUNBucks@la.gov


Future Phases:


  • Phase 3: The application period for children not automatically certified in Phases 1 and 2 will open in late August. This phase primarily serves students at Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools, where all students received free or reduced-price school meals regardless of household income. CEP school students whose household income would qualify them for the National School Lunch Program (below 185% of federal poverty limit) are eligible to receive SUN Bucks, and if they are not certified during Phases 1 or 2, will need to apply during Phase 3. Detailed information about the application process will be available soon on the SUN Bucks website.


SUN Bucks, funded by the USDA, aims to support low-income families by providing grocery-buying benefits during the summer months when children do not receive school meals. This program is a critical part of Louisiana's effort to ensure that every child has access to nutritious food year-round.


For more information about the Louisiana SUN Bucks program and other summer feeding programs, please visit sunbucks.la.gov and the USDA SUN Programs page at www.fns.usda.gov/summer.



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May 13, 2025
We’re still smiling from Active for Autism 2025 — and it’s all thanks to YOU! Whether you walked, ran, sponsored, volunteered, donated, or simply cheered us on, you helped make this year’s event one of the most impactful yet. Thanks to your incredible support, we raised $ 87,153.43 (and counting!) , marking a 24 % increase from last year. Every dollar goes directly toward programs and services that inform, support, and connect families of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities across our community. The energy on event day was unmatched — from families walking hand-in-hand, to kids enjoying the Fun Fest, to teams showing up in vibrant shirts and big smiles. Your presence showed the true power of community. We are beyond grateful to our: Participants who showed up with passion and purpose Sponsors who helped make the event possible Vendors who brought fun and resources to the day Donors who gave generously Volunteers who offered their time, heart, and hands A Special Thank You to Our Co-Sponsors We are especially thankful for our co-sponsors whose generous support elevated this event: Enbridge, 100.7 The Tiger, and Ochsner’s Children’s . Your partnership helped amplify our mission and impact. Thank you for standing with us! Thank You to All Our Sponsors We are grateful to all of our sponsors who make this event possible year after year. Your generosity directly supports families and individuals in our community. 2025 Active for Autism Sponsors: Presenting Platinum Sponsors: Enbridge, 100.7 The Tiger, and Ochsner Children’s Hospital Gold Sponsors: REV, The Nirel Group Foundation Silver Sponsors: Olivier Group, Behavior Intervention Group, Louisiana Blue, Hood Container Corporation, and Mayor-President Sid Edwards Bronze Sponsors: BREC, Associates in Pediatric Dentistry, Wampold Companies, ACE Enterprises Inc., Ascent Behavior Therapy Center, Williams Photography, and Maughan Law Firm Patron Sponsors: BearCom of Baton Rouge, Gulf South Autism Center, The Baton Rouge Clinic AMC, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, Mercy Autism Center, Kidder & Schultz CPA LLC Governmental Supporters : State Senator Regina Barrow, Iberville Parish, and West Baton Rouge Parish Together, we’re making real change — not just during this event, but every day of the year. 📅 Mark your calendar : Active for Autism 2026 will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026 . We can’t wait to celebrate and walk alongside you again. From all of us at Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge: Thank you for helping us keep families informed, supported, and connected. We are families helping families. That’s what we do. That’s who we are.
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