Children enrolled in the state’s SUN Bucks program are starting to receive their money. The program provides money to kids who receive free or reduced-price school meals during the summer months when school is not in session. Tim Jenkins, the economic stability director at the Louisiana Department of Health, said each eligible child enrolled in the program will get a one-time payment of 120 dollars.
“We expect to issue somewhere in the range of 550,000 children, which is about $66 million,” said Jenkins.
That money can be used on any SNAP-eligible food items. They may not be used to buy hot prepared food, energy drinks, soda, candy or any other junk food. Jenkins said there is a time limit to use the benefit.
“It does have an expiration date of 122 days from the date of issuance,” he said. “Anything not spent at the end of 122 days will be automatically expunged, and it cannot be recovered.”
Jenkins said most eligible children don’t need to do anything in order to receive SUN Bucks.
He said, “If you’re certified because your child has received SNAP throughout the year, that money is going to be put automatically on your SNAP card that you had. If you don’t have that card, you can always call us and request a new one.”
The state expects to distribute all SUN Bucks benefits by Tuesday. For more information, visit the Louisiana Department of Health’s webpage.
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