Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children

 

Summer EBT is a Federally-assisted program through which participating States and Indian Tribal Organizations provide EBT benefits to children who lose access to free and reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) during the summer when school is not in session.

Active 10.646 Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture A - Formula Grants; Z - Salaries and Expenses Fiscal Year 2023 FNS issued three policy memoranda providing critical information to States and ITOs. FNS also held more than twenty listening sessions to gather input on the upcoming Summer EBT rulemaking including sessions with State agencies, Indian Tribal Organizations, and stakeholders.
Fiscal Year 2024 FY 2024 is the first year of the Summer EBT Program. Section 502 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L 117-328) amended the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) to authorize a permanent, nationwide Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) Program for Children beginning in 2024., Title The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Part Title IV Division HH, Section 502, Public Law 117-328, 42 U.S.C. 1762
Section 502 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L 117-328) amended the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) to authorize a permanent, nationwide Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) Program beginning in 2024. The law requires the USDA to establish a program under which States, and Indian Tribal organizations that administer the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), electing to participate in the Summer EBT Program may, beginning in Summer 2024 and annually thereafter, issue to each eligible household Summer EBT benefits. States, including U.S. Territories and the District of Columbia, and Indian Tribal Organizations that administer the Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Children eligible for Summer EBT are those who are eligible for free or reduced price school meals. In some cases, children will be automatically enrolled based on administrative data available at the state level indicating eligibility for free or reduced price school meals. Those who cannot be identified through administrative data must apply for Summer EBT benefits and be determined eligible. Not applicable. Preapplication coordination is required. N/A 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. States and ITOs must submit an annual Notice of Intent (NOI) to participate no later than January 1, and annual Plan for Operations and Management (POM) no later than February 15. For Benefit and Admin funds States and ITOs will submit and receive approval on management and administrative plans to receive funding via a Letter of Credit. October 1, 2023 to February 15, 2024 Upon receipt of the annual Plan for Operations and Management (POM). From 120 to 180 days. Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. Through Summer EBT, eligible children receive nutrition benefits loaded onto Summer EBT cards that are used to purchase food during the summer when school is not in session. Not applicable. Not applicable. Summer EBT agencies and LEAs must retain records for a period of 3 years after submission of the certification data for the fiscal year. Statutory Formula: Title The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L 117-328) (the Act)

Matching is mandatory. 50%. USDA is authorized to pay each Summer EBT agency an amount equal to 50 percent of the administrative expenses incurred by the Summer EBT agency in operating the program under this section, including the administrative expenses of LEAs and other agencies in each State or ITO relating to the operation of their Summer EBT Program. Each Summer EBT agency is therefore responsible for a fifty percent administrative funding match.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. The funding for this award at the Federal level is determined on an annual basis. States and ITOs may release assistance as a lump sum or on a monthly basis through their determined summer period. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Letter. None/Not specified. Melissa Rothstein
1320 Braddock Place
Alexandria, VA 22314 USA
melissa.rothstein@usda.gov
Phone: 703-346-4484 https://www.fns.usda.gov/sebt 12-3539-0-1-605 (Formula Grants) FY 22$0.00; FY 23 est $0.00; FY 24 est $2,520,000,000.00; - Summer EBT Benefits(Salaries and Expenses) FY 22$0.00; FY 23 est $0.00; FY 24 est $252,000,000.00; - Summer EBT Administrative Expenses FY23: No funding distributed. FY24: FNS anticipates funding participating States and ITOs at varying levels. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L 117-328) Fiscal Year 2024 FY24 will be the first year of the Summer EBT program.