CNP summer EBT admin

The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded the Iowa Department of Human Services $1,554,546 on October 1, 2025, under the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (CFDA 10.646) to administer summer nutrition benefits for eligible children through September 30, 2026.

This award funds administrative costs for the Summer EBT program in Iowa, which distributes nutrition benefits via EBT cards to children who lose access to free and reduced-price school meals during summer months. Eligible children include those determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program in the prior school year or during summer. Benefits can be used to purchase food from approved retailers. The program automatically enrolls children where administrative data establishes eligibility; those not identified through administrative channels must apply for benefits and be determined eligible. Iowa DHS retains records for three years after submission of annual certification data. The funding is distributed as determined by the state's approved administrative plan, which may be released as a lump sum or allocated monthly across the state's designated summer period.