Accessing Nutrition at Home Made Easy: A Guide for NY SNAP, Cash EBT, and SUN Bucks Recipients using Amazon's Delivery Service
In the summer months, when school meals are unavailable, eligible New York families will receive a food benefit called SUN Bucks to help cover grocery costs. Starting June 2025, each school-age child will receive $120 in SUN Bucks, distributed monthly over the summer[1][2][3].
Who is eligible for SUN Bucks?
Children who meet certain criteria are eligible for SUN Bucks. These include:
- Children aged 6 to 16 who receive SNAP benefits, Temporary Assistance cash benefits (TANF), or Medicaid.
- Children who are directly certified for free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program, regardless of age[2][3].
Most children who qualify are automatically enrolled. Those previously enrolled or who requested a SUN Bucks card in 2024 will have their 2025 funds loaded onto the same EBT card; new eligible children will receive a new SUN Bucks card in the mail[2].
Using the SUN Bucks EBT card
Each eligible child gets their own SUN Bucks EBT card. Funds can be used like SNAP benefits for groceries, including at grocery stores, many online retailers (e.g., Amazon in NY), and some farmers' markets[2][3]. SUN Bucks can be combined with SNAP, WIC, or free summer meal programs to maximize food support[1][3].
Families are encouraged to plan purchases carefully, potentially buying in bulk or combining benefits with local food programs, and to track their EBT balances through state portals[1].
Where SUN Bucks can be used
SUN Bucks can be used at approved grocery stores and supermarkets that accept SNAP EBT, online grocery retailers supporting EBT payments (such as Amazon in New York), and some farmers' markets that accept SNAP[2][3]. This range mirrors typical SNAP usage, ensuring convenience and access to nutritious foods for families during summer.
Amazon's grocery delivery options and SUN Bucks
Amazon's grocery delivery options can be especially valuable during summer months for families with school-age children. Customers with a registered EBT card can access a discounted grocery delivery subscription on Amazon for $4.99 per month[4]. This subscription offers unlimited grocery delivery on orders over $35 across Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market[5].
Prime Access, a discounted Prime membership for qualifying government assistance recipients and income-verified customers in the U.S., is also available for Amazon customers using EBT benefits[6].
Managing SUN Bucks with the ebtEDGE app
The ebtEDGE app allows users to check their SUN Bucks card balance, see when new benefits arrive, and freeze the card for safety[7].
To get started, customers should go to Amazon.com/Access, add their SNAP EBT or SUN Bucks card, and shop for SNAP-eligible groceries on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market[8].
Unused SUN Bucks benefits will expire 122 days after they are received, so it's important to use them before they expire[1].
In summary, SUN Bucks provides targeted summer nutrition support by delivering $120 per child on dedicated EBT cards, automatically to most who qualify, usable broadly where SNAP benefits are accepted to help offset the nutritional gap when school meals pause[1][2][3].
[1] New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). (2023). Summer Food Assistance Program for New York City (SFAP-NYC). Retrieved from https://otda.ny.gov/programs/sfap-nyc/
[2] New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). (2023). SUNY Food Assistance Program. Retrieved from https://otda.ny.gov/programs/suny-food-assistance-program/
[3] Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). (2023). Summer Nutrition Programs. Retrieved from https://frac.org/summer-nutrition
[4] Amazon. (2023). Amazon Access. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/access
[5] Amazon. (2023). Amazon Fresh. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/amazonfresh
[6] Amazon. (2023). Prime Access. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/primeaccess
[7] ebtEDGE. (2023). ebtEDGE App. Retrieved from https://www.ebtedge.com/
[8] Amazon. (2023). Shop with SNAP EBT. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GZ6JXK8X98T82K4Q&ref_=nav_cs_snapsupport
- In addition to being usable at physical grocery stores, SUN Bucks EBT cards can also be used at online retailers like Amazon in New York, providing additional shopping convenience for eligible families.
- As a way to manage their SUN Bucks EBT card, families have access to the ebtEDGE app, which allows them to check their balance, freeze the card for safety, and track when new benefits are added.
- With the Prime Access membership, Amazon customers using EBT benefits receive a discounted Prime membership for qualifying government assistance recipients, offering access to entertainment, streaming services, and more, not just food and groceries.
- Beyond just the food-and-drink sector, with SUN Bucks, families can purchase a wide range of items, such as personal-finance and gadgets like smartphones and technology accessories, as long as these goods are available at stores that accept EBT payments.
- In an era where social media and entertainment are increasingly influential in people's lifestyle, some parents may find it helpful to use their SUN Bucks to invest in reliable internet access or entertainment services for their families, improving their overall quality of life during the summer months.
