CNP summer EBT admin

The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded the Louisiana Department of Health $3,005,526 on October 1, 2025, under the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (CFDA 10.646) to administer Summer EBT benefits in Louisiana through September 30, 2026.

Summer EBT provides electronic benefit transfer cards to children who lose access to free and reduced price meals during summer break. Eligible children are those determined eligible for free or reduced price school meals under the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program. Benefits can be used to purchase food from approved retailers. The Louisiana Department of Health administers the program, managing benefit distribution, eligibility determinations (including automatic enrollment where administrative data supports eligibility), and program oversight. The recipient is required to maintain records for three years after submission of annual certification data.

The award funds administrative costs associated with program operations, including management and plan approval processes operated through Letter of Credit funding mechanisms. The funding is determined annually and represents Louisiana's allocation under this formula-based program, which operates as a continual permanent program rather than a time-limited grant.