Iowa closed the 2026 application period Aug. 14. Issued benefits expire at midnight on day 122, and unused money cannot be restored.
Updated Aug. 26, 2026.
By Hola Iowa
Iowa closed applications for the 2026 SUN Bucks program Aug. 14. However, families that already received the one-time benefit of $120 for each eligible child can still use the money until its individual expiration date.
Each benefit remains available for 122 days from its issue date. Therefore, Iowa families do not share one statewide deadline for using their remaining balance.
Any money left in the account expires at midnight on day 122. The account will show a $0 balance beginning on day 123, and the expired money cannot be restored.
Households with an active SNAP account can review their balance and transactions through ConnectEBT. Card assistance is also available at 1-800-359-5802.
Iowa SUN Bucks expiration
- Benefit: One payment of $120 for each eligible child.
- Applications: The 2026 application period ended Aug. 14.
- Expiration: Midnight on the 122nd day after issuance.
- Expired balance: Cannot be restored, replaced or appealed.
- Balance and card assistance: 1-800-359-5802.
Each $120 benefit has its own expiration date
The 122-day period begins when Iowa issues the money. Activating the card or making the first purchase does not change the deadline.
For example, a benefit issued June 10 receives its own 122-day period. A deposit issued later will expire on a different date.
In addition, using part of the balance does not extend the deadline. Any money that remains available at midnight on day 122 disappears from the account.
Iowa also does not replace expired, lost or stolen SUN Bucks benefits. The state does not offer an appeal to recover those funds.
ConnectEBT and customer service provide balance information
Households that received SUN Bucks on their regular SNAP card can review the balance and recent transactions through ConnectEBT or the ConnectEBT mobile app.
Iowa EBT Customer Service is available at 1-800-359-5802. The automated system and assistance for card problems operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A separate SUN Bucks card can be activated by phone. The system requires:
- The 19-digit SUN Bucks card number.
- The five-digit ZIP code.
- The child’s eight-digit date of birth.
- A new four-digit PIN.
After activation, the phone system can provide the remaining balance. If the child’s account information does not work, families can call 1-833-631-2508 to verify the information connected with the card.
Current balance, activation and expiration rules are available through the Iowa HHS SUN Bucks information.
Iowa can replace the card but not missing benefits
EBT Customer Service can replace a card that was lost, stolen or cannot be activated. Card assistance is available at 1-800-359-5802.
However, Iowa HHS requires a current address before issuing another card. Families that moved can update their address by calling 1-833-631-2508.
A replacement card does not recover expired money. It also does not restore benefits that someone used after stealing the card or account information.
After the balance reaches $0, Iowa HHS advises families to keep the physical SUN Bucks card. The state may use the same card during a future summer.
The closed application period does not cancel issued benefits
The Aug. 14 deadline prevents households from submitting a new application for the 2026 program. It does not cancel money that Iowa already added to an EBT or SUN Bucks card.
Some children qualified automatically through SNAP, the Family Investment Program, foster care, certain Medicaid cases or approval for free or reduced-price school meals.
However, attending a Community Eligibility Provision school did not automatically qualify every student. SUN Bucks used separate rules based on assistance programs, income and school meal eligibility.
A household without an active SNAP card that expected to receive SUN Bucks can call Iowa HHS at 1-877-347-5678. The agency can verify the child’s eligibility and the address used for mailing.
SUN Bucks is used before regular SNAP benefits
When SUN Bucks and SNAP appear on the same EBT card, Iowa uses the SUN Bucks balance first. However, this order does not change the 122-day expiration period.
SUN Bucks currently follows federal SNAP purchasing rules. Eligible items include fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads, cereals, snacks and nonalcoholic drinks.
The benefit does not cover alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicine, hot food prepared for immediate consumption or nonfood products.
In addition, Double Up Food Bucks can match SUN Bucks purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables at participating locations.
Related: What Iowa families can buy with SNAP and SUN Bucks
Iowa has not opened the 2027 application period
Iowa HHS has not announced the 2027 application dates, income limits or online portal.
Until the next application period opens, households cannot submit a new SUN Bucks application. Every remaining 2026 balance will expire at midnight on the 122nd day after its issue date.
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