If you are participating in a state program such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program), FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations), Medicaid (as determined by MN Dept of Human Services), or Foster status, you will automatically qualify for SUN Bucks benefits. The Department of Children Youth and Families will mail your card to you in late May/early June to the address on file with the Department of Children Youth and Families. Parents can call the SUN Bucks helpline at 651-431-4608 or submit a ticket http://sebthelp.state.mn.us/ for an address change.

If you have already applied for free & reduced-price meal benefits or qualify based on homelessness (McKinney Vento Act), and you have received your approval letter, you will automatically qualify for SUN Bucks benefits. We will automatically sign you up, and you will receive the SUN Bucks card in the mail at your primary household listed in the Parent Portal if DHS approves your household. Please check to be sure your contact information is up-to-date.  To change your address, please contact Stephanie Buerger at sbuerger@pierzschools.org.

If your child is homeschooled, you may apply directly to the state for the SUN Bucks card.  SUN Bucks applications are processed by the Minnesota Department of Education and will be required to have the same eligibility components, including household income requirements.  To fill out a SUN Bucks application directly with the Minnesota Department of Education click here. The deadline to apply is August 31, 2025. Those applying directly will be required to meet the same eligibility components, including household income requirements. Notifications of approval or denial will begin in the spring of 2025.  For any questions about the SUN Bucks application, please email sebt.mde@state.mn.us

In order to confirm your child’s eligibility for SUN Bucks, Pierz Public Schools must provide information on you and your child to MDE. In addition, MDE must share some information with the Dept of Children Youth and Families in order to distribute SUN Bucks benefits. This information includes private data about you or your minor child under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

Pierz Public Schools will provide MDE with the following information:

• Parent/guardian’s name, phone number, email address and mailing address
• MDE will provide the Dept of Children Youth and Families with the following information:
  • Student’s name and birthdate
  • Student’s primary home language
  • Parent/guardian’s name, phone number, email address and mailing address

MDE and the Dept of Children Youth and Families will only use your information for determining eligibility, distributing benefits, communicating with you about SUN Bucks, and managing and evaluating the SUN Bucks program in Minnesota. Your data will not be used for any other purposes. Only MDE and the Dept of Children Youth and Families staff working on the program or others with legal authority to access your data by a state or federal law will have access to your information.

If you do not want Pierz Public Schools to share your information with MDE and the Dept of Children Youth and Families, please notify us by 5/20/25 by filling out this Opt Out Form. If you do not want your information shared with MDE, we will not share it. If you opt out of sharing your information with MDE and the Dept of Children Youth and Families, you will NOT receive SUN Bucks benefits because MDE and the Dept of Children Youth and Families  will not be able to determine eligibility and know where to mail your SUN Bucks card(s).

If you have questions or concerns about this data privacy notice, please contact Stephanie Buerger at sbuerger@pierzschools.org.