CNP summer EBT admin

The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded the Department of Human Services, Office of the Commissioner (U.S. Virgin Islands) $350,353 on October 1, 2025, under the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (CFDA 10.646), a formula grant extending through September 30, 2026.

The award funds administrative costs for the Summer EBT program, which provides electronic benefit transfer cards loaded with nutrition benefits to children in the U.S. Virgin Islands who lose access to free and reduced-price school meals during summer recess. Eligible children are those determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program in the prior school year or during summer. Benefits on the EBT cards can be purchased at approved retailers for food.

The Department of Human Services, Office of the Commissioner, serves as the territorial agency administering federal nutrition assistance, child welfare, workforce, and social services programs on behalf of the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Under the Summer EBT program, the recipient manages enrollment (including automatic enrollment where administrative data supports eligibility determination, and application-based enrollment for those not identified through administrative systems), benefit issuance, and related program administration. Program records must be retained for three years following fiscal-year certification data submission. The federal funding amount is determined annually; the recipient may distribute benefits as a lump sum or on a monthly basis within its designated summer service period.