Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded $642.8 million to the Department of Social Services California through a formula grant under the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Program for Children (CFDA 10.646), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This award funds the provision of nutrition benefits and administrative costs to reduce food insecurity for eligible children who lose access to free and reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program during summer school breaks. The Department of Social Services California administers the program by loading EBT benefits onto cards that eligible children use to purchase food from approved retailers throughout the state.

As a permanent, non-competitive formula grant program, the Summer EBT initiative automatically allocates annual federal funding to eligible states and Indian Tribal Organizations that administer the Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Eligible children include those determined eligible for free or reduced-price school meals in the prior school year or during summer, with enrollment occurring through administrative data identification or direct application. The Department of Social Services California coordinates benefit distribution across California's 58 counties through county-level agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community-based service providers, maintaining required program records and submitting administrative plans for federal oversight via Letter of Credit mechanisms.