Formula Grant 266AZ005N1175

The Arizona Department of Economic Security received a $72.5 million formula grant award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service under the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (CFDA 10.646), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This federal funding supports the delivery of nutrition assistance benefits to low-income children during summer months when school is not in session, addressing food insecurity for children who would otherwise lose access to free and reduced-price meals provided through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

Under this award, Arizona administers the identification and enrollment of eligible children, processes benefit distributions via EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards, and maintains required program records and administrative operations. Eligible children—identified either through prior school year meal eligibility data or direct application and determination—receive nutrition benefits loaded onto Summer EBT cards that can be used to purchase food from approved retailers during the state's designated summer period. The funding supports both benefit distribution and administrative costs necessary to operate the program statewide, with Arizona required to submit management and administrative plans for federal approval and maintain three-year record retention compliance.