Federal Grant Award Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded $24 million to the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services under the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (CFDA 10.646) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This formula grant funds the delivery of nutrition assistance benefits to eligible children during summer months when school is not in session. Under this program, the awardee provides EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) benefits loaded onto cards that eligible children—those determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program—can use to purchase food from approved retailers during their state's designated summer period.

The Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services, operating through its Nebraska Food Distribution Program division, administers the program's benefit distribution and associated administrative functions. The awardee manages eligibility determinations, benefit loading and distribution via EBT cards, and program oversight while maintaining required administrative records for three years post-certification. This permanent, non-competitive program reflects the state's ongoing responsibility as a WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) administrator to reduce childhood hunger and food insecurity during the summer break period.