REAL ID, SUN Bucks, Juneteenth

June 3, 2025

California REAL ID

California Compliance with Federal REAL ID Act Requirements

Under the REAL ID Act, the California DMV must meet requirements set by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for its driver licenses and identification cards to be accepted for federal purposes.

How the REAL ID Act Impacts Californians

As of May 7, 2025, the federal government requires your driver license or ID card to be REAL ID compliant if you wish to use it as identification to board a domestic flight or to enter military bases and most federal facilities. The California DMV is now offering federal compliant REAL ID driver licenses or ID cards to customers.

Do I Need a REAL ID?

If you have a valid U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card, military ID, or other form of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved identification, you may use it as your form of identification to pass TSA airport checkpoints nationwide and to visit a secure federal building or military base. Check the TSA website at www.tsa.gov for a complete list of approved identification.

If you know you will not be boarding a domestic flight or visiting a secure federal facility or military base, you do not need a REAL ID driver license or ID card.

Who is Eligible for a REAL ID?

U.S. citizens and all legal residents of the United States can apply for a REAL ID driver license or ID card.

Do minors need a REAL ID card in order to board a domestic flight?

No. The TSA does not require anyone under the age of 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the U.S. However, the companion will need acceptable identification, such as a REAL ID, U.S. Passport, U.S. Passport Card, DHS Trusted Traveler Card, etc. (see the TSA’s full list of acceptable identification).

How to Prepare for REAL ID

To apply for a REAL ID card:

Gather your documents with help from the checklist. Use DMV’s interactive REAL ID document checklist to gather all of the documentation you will need to apply for your REAL ID.
Complete the application online and upload your documents. During the online REAL ID application process, you will be prompted to upload documents that prove identity (e.g., valid passport or birth certificate) and residency (e.g., utility bill, bank statement). Uploading images of these documents online will save you time when you visit the DMV office to complete your application so don’t skip this step. Bring the original documents submitted online to your REAL ID appointment. Save your confirmation code – you will need it for your office visit.
Visit a DMV office. To help more customers get a REAL ID, the DMV is offering extended hours at 18 offices across the state. Through June 27, select offices will open one hour early — 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. — by appointment only on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. These additional hours are available exclusively for REAL ID appointments. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Which documents do I need to present to apply for a REAL ID?

Visit the REAL ID Checklist for full details. It is the best way to make sure you understand and satisfy all document requirements, and gather all of the appropriate documentation before your visit.

What is SUN Bucks?

SUN Bucks is California’s Summer EBT program. This food program provides families $40 per month for food in June, July, and August ($120 total) when children do not have access to school meals. Many children are automatically enrolled, but if not, you can still apply starting July 1st until September 2, 2025. To learn more about the program visit: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks

Who is eligible for SUN Bucks?

Most children are eligible for SUN Bucks if:

They qualify based on household size and income for free or reduced-price school meals; or
They get CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal (certified at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level), including homeschooled children ages 6 – 18 years.

What can I buy with SUN Bucks?

Your SUN Bucks can be used just like CalFresh to buy food at most grocery stores, farmer's markets, and online.

For cardholder assistance, the SUN Bucks helpline is available at (877) 328-9677. The helpline provides automated support 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Live agents are available Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. To check your benefit balance and claim status, visit the California EBT cardholder website.

If I get SUN Bucks, will that make me a public charge?

The public charge rule put into place in December 2022 is still in effect. Under this rule, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) do NOT consider health, food, and housing services as part of the public charge determination. This means many government funded benefits and services are safe to use.

SUN Bucks is a food benefit like Pandemic EBT and CalFresh. Using these government funded food benefits does not hurt your immigration status.

The public charge rule does not apply to every immigrant. Getting government funded benefits alone does not make you a public charge. Government funded benefits received by your children and family members do not make you a public charge. If you have questions about your immigration status and this food benefit, more information about public charge is available at www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/cdss-programs/refugees/public-charge. If you have questions about your immigration status or circumstances, please consult with an immigration attorney.