Federal Grant Award Summary

The North Dakota Department of Human Services received a $118,360 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service for the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Program for Children (CFDA 10.646) effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. This award supports the administration of the Summer EBT program, which provides electronic benefit transfer payments to eligible low-income children during summer months when they lose access to free and reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The funding designated for administrative costs enables the state to manage program operations, including benefit eligibility determinations, EBT card issuance, and oversight of benefit utilization at approved retailers.

Under this permanent federal program, eligible children—automatically enrolled through administrative data when possible or through direct application—receive nutrition benefits loaded onto EBT cards that can be used to purchase food from approved retailers during the summer break period. North Dakota may distribute these benefits either as lump sum payments or on a monthly basis throughout the state's designated summer period. The state is required to maintain records for three years following fiscal year certification and submit annual management and administrative plans to the Food and Nutrition Service to receive funding through the Letter of Credit mechanism.