The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), in partnership with the Alabama State Department of Education, will again distribute Alabama SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT benefits, to eligible children this summer.

The program will provide a one-time benefit of $120 per school-aged child to low-income families to help purchase groceries during the summer months, a news release from DHR said. The benefits are intended to supplement the free and reduced-price meals students receive during the school year.

School-aged children who have been approved through an application or direct certification and attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program will automatically receive Alabama SUN Bucks benefits.

Children who are directly certified through ALSDE programs such as SNAP, TANF or Medicaid also will automatically qualify for the benefits.

Families whose children are not automatically enrolled may apply for Alabama SUN Bucks. Students who receive free meals through the Community Eligibility Provision will not automatically qualify for the program. However, those students may still be eligible based on household income.

Households can visit the Alabama SUN Bucks website at www.alabama-sunbucks.com to apply or obtain additional information.

“With the rising costs of groceries and gas, the summer break can be challenging for families when children are at home,” Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner said in the release. “This benefit will help families across the state make it through summer break while also encouraging healthy and nutritious eating.”

Students who qualify for the program will receive an Alabama SUN Bucks card.

Customer service representatives are available to answer questions about Summer EBT benefits by phone at (800) 443-3536 or by email at support@alabama-sunbucks.com. Assistance is available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.