CNP summer EBT admin

The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services $229,183 on October 1, 2025, under the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (CFDA 10.646) to administer Summer EBT benefits in New Hampshire through September 30, 2026.

Summer EBT reduces childhood hunger and food insecurity by providing electronic benefit transfer cards to children who lose access to free and reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program during summer recess. Eligible children—those determined eligible for free or reduced-price school meals in the prior school year or during summer—can use the benefits to purchase food from approved retailers. New Hampshire administers enrollment, including automatic enrollment based on administrative data indicating eligibility and application-based enrollment for children not identified through existing records. The state distributes benefits as a lump sum or on a monthly basis throughout its determined summer period and retains records for three years after fiscal year certification submission. This is a permanent federal program with annual funding determinations; formula allocation replaces competitive grant mechanics and precludes no-cost extensions.