Summer Grocery Benefits for New Mexico Children to Begin June 15

SANTA FE – Nearly 293,000 children across New Mexico are expected to receive summer grocery benefits beginning June 15 through the state’s SUN Bucks program, according to an announcement from the New Mexico Health Care Authority and Public Education Department.

The SUN Bucks program, also known as Summer EBT, provides a one-time grocery benefit of $120 per eligible child to help families buy food during the summer months when school meals may not be available.

State officials said most eligible families will receive the benefit automatically and will not need to apply. Benefits are scheduled to begin rolling out June 15 after what the state described as about a 30-day delay tied to a federal funding hold.

Children may automatically qualify if they received SNAP, Medicaid or TANF during the school year, qualified for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, were identified by their school as homeless, runaway or part of migrant education programs, or were determined by CYFD to be foster care students.

Families whose children do not automatically qualify may still apply if the child attends a school participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, the household income is at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level, and the family lives in New Mexico.

Officials said families who qualify automatically will receive a notice by mail and do not need to take additional action.

The application deadline for SUN Bucks is Aug. 22, 2026. Families who do not receive a SUN Bucks card or notice by that date are being directed to check the state’s Summer EBT information resources for eligibility and benefit details.

The grocery benefits may be used anywhere SNAP benefits are accepted. Families needing more food assistance can also use the state’s Food Finder Map and YesNM Connect to locate nearby food distribution sites and support services.

By John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications – john@bravomic.com