NOTICE: The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) will begin issuing benefits through the Virginia SUN Bucks 2025 program on July 18, 2025. The program provides $120 in supplemental grocery funds to hundreds of thousands of children across the Commonwealth.
VDSS will distribute benefits initially to more than 650,000 children found automatically eligible through their participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and income-eligible Medical Assistance. Also included in this distribution are children determined eligible through an approved application for free or reduced-price meals from the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
If a child is not automatically eligible for Virginia SUN Bucks and needs to apply, a paper application is available here to download, print and mail in, or applicants can contact the Virginia SUN Bucks Call Center from July 1- August 15, 2025, at 866-513-1414 to apply. The following information about the child is necessary to complete the application:
Legal name (first and last name).
Date of birth (month, date, year).
Home address.
Child’s school name.
School’s county/city division.
Student ID number (found in the school’s parent portal).
All family income (from work and other sources).
Proof of citizenship or legal status (not required).
The last four digits of their Social Security number (not required).
Children found eligible through a Virginia SUN Bucks application will be issued benefits beginning August 1, 2025. VDSS will complete distribution of all SUN Bucks benefits by the end of September 2025.
Additional information about this program is found at VirginiaSunBucks.com, information about eligibility, benefit distribution, other SUN Meals programs, FAQs and community resources that include flyers/infographics you can share with your customers.
In addition, please monitor all VDSS social media accounts and repost the information about Virginia SUN Bucks to help spread the word about this benefit program.
We are grateful for your assistance in making Virginia SUN Bucks 2025 a success!