Indiana SUN Bucks Success Story: A Proven Summer EBT Implementation Model
When the State of Indiana launched its Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program — known as SUN Bucks — it faced compressed federal timelines, strict USDA compliance standards, and the need for secure multi-agency coordination.
Partnering with Moser Consulting, Indiana implemented a comprehensive Summer EBT digital platform for state agencies that enabled rapid deployment, secure data exchange, and efficient benefit distribution.
Program Overview — What Is SUN Bucks?
SUN Bucks is Indiana’s implementation of the federally authorized Summer EBT program, providing grocery-buying benefits to eligible families with school-aged children during summer months when school meals are unavailable.
Through coordinated efforts between the Indiana Department of Education and the Division of Family Resources, Indiana created a digital application channel to serve households eligible for free or reduced-price lunch who were not automatically enrolled.
The result: one of the earliest Summer EBT benefit issuances in the nation.
The Implementation Challenges Facing Indiana
Launching a statewide Summer EBT mobile and web application for government agencies required solving several critical challenges:
Compliance with USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) regulations
Alignment with 7 CFR 292 federal program rules
AES-256 and FIPS 140-2 data security requirements
Secure integration with existing state systems
Real-time and batch data transmission to EBT card vendors
Aggressive federally mandated go-live deadlines
High risk of incomplete applications delaying eligibility review
Accessibility requirements for diverse populations
Indiana needed a secure, scalable, and rapidly deployable technology solution for state Summer EBT program administration.
The Three-Component Digital Solution
To address these challenges, Moser delivered a fully integrated service model consisting of:
Secure Client Application Portal
A web-based platform enabling families to:
Submit Summer EBT applications
Manage multi-student households
Track eligibility status
Participate in appeals processes
Intelligent validation required mandatory fields prior to submission, significantly reducing incomplete applications.
Administrative Reviewer Portal
A secure dashboard enabling:
Eligibility review workflows
Business rule validation
Application flagging for follow-up
Performance analytics and reporting
API integration with state systems
Multi-Channel Call Center Support
A fully staffed customer support operation providing:
Phone and email assistance
Amazon Connect IVR integration
Bilingual Spanish-language support
Knowledge base management
Rapid follow-up within 10 operational days for incomplete cases
This comprehensive structure created a seamless digital platform for Summer food benefit distribution in Indiana.
Measurable Results
The implementation delivered strong, measurable outcomes:
43,000 applications submitted through the online portal
96,500 children represented in submitted applications
22,300 approved applicants issued EBT cards
585,000 children received benefits statewide
On-time program closure at the end of the summer benefit period
Scalable infrastructure capable of supporting larger states
Indiana became one of the first states nationally to successfully issue Summer EBT benefits under the new program structure.
Strengthened Security & Compliance
Indiana’s SUN Bucks platform incorporated:
AES-256 encryption across data storage and transmission
FIPS 140-2 compliant security standards
PGP-encrypted batch file transfers
Secure real-time API integrations
Federal privacy safeguard protections
Structured audit trails for regulatory oversight
The solution maintained full compliance while improving operational efficiency — a critical balance for any USDA Summer EBT technology partner.
Application Quality & Administrative Efficiency Gains
The implementation reduced administrative burden by:
Preventing incomplete applications through required-field validation
Automating eligibility logic checks
Streamlining reviewer workflows
Enabling secure automated batching to EBT card vendors
Supporting structured change-of-address processes
These enhancements significantly improved processing speed and reduced manual labor in determining eligibility.
Accessibility & Equitable Service Delivery
The SUN Bucks system was designed to ensure equitable access, including:
ADA-aligned user interface design
Multi-channel communication options
Spanish-language call center support
Clear, structured user guidance
This approach supported broader access and improved participant satisfaction — key outcomes for modern government benefits digital platforms.
A Replicable Model for Other States
Indiana’s successful rollout demonstrates a scalable framework for:
States launching Summer EBT for the first time
Agencies modernizing legacy SNAP systems
Departments seeking secure EBT app development services
Government leaders needing rapid implementation under federal deadlines
The architecture can be expanded to support larger populations and integrated with broader food assistance systems.
Explore a Proven Summer EBT Implementation Framework
Indiana’s SUN Bucks launch illustrates how a secure, compliant, and thoughtfully designed digital platform can transform Summer EBT program administration.
If your agency is evaluating:
How to implement a Summer EBT digital platform
Secure app development for state nutrition programs
Reducing incomplete benefit applications
Meeting USDA FNS compliance under tight deadlines
Moser Consulting offers a proven model backed by measurable statewide success.
Schedule a consultation to learn how this framework can support your state’s Summer EBT implementation.
