Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children
Active
- Assistance listing
- 10.646
- Agency
-
Food and Nutrition Service
Department of Agriculture
- Grant awards
- 352 $8,241,319,159 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Assistance type
-
- Formula Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 12-3539-0-1-605
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service distributes Formula Grants under the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (CFDA 10.646) to provide nutrition benefits to eligible children during summer months when school is not in session, with the most recent awards issued on October 31, 2025.
This program is a permanent, non-competitive federal assistance line rather than a solicitation-based grant program. The Department obligates funding annually to participating states, U.S. territories, the District of Columbia, and Indian Tribal Organizations that administer the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Recipients provide Electronic Benefit Transfer cards loaded with Summer EBT benefits that eligible children can use to purchase food from approved retailers. Eligibility is based on prior qualification for free or reduced-price school meals under the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program. Children may be automatically enrolled based on state administrative data or must apply and be determined eligible. The program aims to reduce hunger and food insecurity during the summer gap when meal programs are unavailable.
All 352 grants awarded since October 2023 are Formula Grants distributed entirely by the Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. The program has sustained steady activity, averaging approximately 118 awards annually over the past three years. Combined federal dollars obligated total $8.24 billion across the portfolio, with award completion dates set for September 30, 2026.
Recent awards split into two funding categories: Summer EBT benefits (dominating the dollar volume) and Summer EBT administrative costs. Benefits awards ranged from under one million dollars to $156 million (Pennsylvania), while administrative awards typically fell between $51,500 (District of Columbia) and $41.677 million (California). Recipients must submit management and administrative plans for Letter of Credit approval and retain records for three years after fiscal year certification submission.
No grant opportunities are currently open; funding is determined and allocated annually by the federal government on a predetermined schedule. States and Indian Tribal Organizations receive awards as automatic entitlements rather than through competitive solicitation.
Objective and description
- Objective
Summer EBT is a Federally-assisted program through which participating States and Indian Tribal Organizations provide EBT benefits to children who lose access to free and reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School
- Description
The objective of the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children is to reduce hunger and food insecurity for children who lose access to free and reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) during the summer when school is not in session. States provide benefits on EBT cards to children who were determined eligible for free or reduced price school meals in the prior school year or during the summer. Benefits can be used to purchase food from approved retailers.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
States, including U.S. Territories and the District of Columbia, and Indian Tribal Organizations that administer the Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
- Beneficiary eligibility
Children eligible for Summer EBT are those who are eligible for free or reduced price school meals. In some cases, children will be automatically enrolled based on administrative data available at the state level indicating eligibility for free or reduced price school meals. Those who cannot be identified through administrative data must apply for Summer EBT benefits and be determined eligible.
- Uses of assistance
Through Summer EBT, eligible children receive nutrition benefits loaded onto Summer EBT cards that are used to purchase food during the summer when school is not in session.
- Use restrictions
Through Summer EBT, eligible children receive nutrition benefits loaded onto Summer EBT cards that are used to purchase food during the summer when school is not in session.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
The funding for this award at the Federal level is determined on an annual basis. States and ITOs may release assistance as a lump sum or on a monthly basis through their determined summer period.
How to apply
- Award procedure
For Benefit and Admin funds States and ITOs will submit and receive approval on management and administrative plans to receive funding via a Letter of Credit.
- Renewals
This is not the equivalent of a competitive grant where the potential for a no cost extension would exist. This is a continual permanent program.
Grant awards
| Award | Recipient | Federal obligations | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNP summer EBT admin | American Samoa Government- Department Of Human And Social Services | $287,523 | |
| CNP summer EBT admin | Superintendent Of Public Instruction | $153,840 | |
| CNP SME EBT benefits non appr | Department Of Social & Health Services | $69,300,000 | |
| CNP summer EBT admin | Department Of Social & Health Services | $7,328,982 | |
| CNP SME EBT benefits non appr | Oregon Department Of Human Services | $43,200,000 | |
| CNP summer EBT admin | Oregon Department Of Human Services | $4,807,149 | |
| CNP SME EBT benefits non appr | Department Of Health & Human Services | $37,800,000 | |
| CNP summer EBT admin | Department Of Health & Human Services | $3,289,270 | |
| CNP SME EBT benefits non appr | Cnmi Department Of Community And Cultural Affairs Dcca | $1,971,000 | |
| CNP summer EBT admin | Cnmi Department Of Community And Cultural Affairs Dcca | $453,643 |
Latest 10 of 352 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Department Of Social Services California | $1,690,971,032 | 21% |
| 2 | New York State Office Of Temporary & Disability Assistance | $714,058,911 | 9% |
| 3 | Pa Department Of Human Services | $439,735,044 | 5% |
| 4 | Illinois Department Of Human Service | $409,101,274 | 5% |
| 5 | North Carolina Department Of Health & Human Services | $357,875,373 | 4% |
| 6 | Ohio Department Of Job & Family Services | $350,527,497 | 4% |
| 7 | Michigan Department Of Health And Human Services | $316,104,218 | 4% |
| 8 | New Jersey Department Of Human Services | $261,427,985 | 3% |
| 9 | Virginia Department Of Social Services | $254,456,199 | 3% |
| 10 | Department Of Social & Health Services | $231,263,983 | 3% |
10 of 83 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | $2,043,366,542 |
| FY2025 | $2,857,848,997 |
| FY2024 | $3,340,103,589 |
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 10.646?
Assistance Listing 10.646 is Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children, a federal grant program run by Food and Nutrition Service (Department of Agriculture).
What is the CFDA number for Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children?
Its CFDA number is 10.646: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 10.646 awarded?
352 grant awards under 10.646 have obligated $8,241,319,159 in federal funds to 83 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 10.646?
The recipients obligated the most under Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children are Department Of Social Services California ($1,690,971,032), New York State Office Of Temporary & Disability Assistance ($714,058,911) and Pa Department Of Human Services ($439,735,044).
How much did 10.646 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 10.646 obligated $2,857,848,997 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
On GovTribe
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