Federal Grant Award Summary

The District of Columbia Government's Department of Human Services, operating as the RSA Randolph-Sheppard Blind Vending Program, received a $9.6 million formula grant award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service under the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Program for Children (CFDA 10.646). The award, dated October 1, 2025, with completion scheduled for September 30, 2026, supports the District's administration and delivery of nutrition assistance benefits to low-income children during summer months when school is not in session.

Under this program, the District provides EBT benefits loaded onto Summer EBT cards that eligible children use to purchase food from approved retailers. Eligible children include those determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program during the prior school year. The award funding covers administrative and management costs associated with identifying and enrolling eligible children, processing benefit distributions, maintaining EBT card infrastructure, and retaining required records. The District may distribute benefits as a lump sum or monthly allocation throughout its designated summer period and must maintain documentation for three years following each fiscal year's certification submission.