This bill, known as the "Stop Child Hunger Act of 2025," significantly expands the existing summer electronic benefits transfer (EBT) program for children. Its primary purpose is to ensure that children continue to receive crucial food assistance not only during summer months but also during other qualifying school closure periods. This expansion aims to combat child hunger by providing consistent access to nutritious meals when schools are not fully operational. Under the expanded program, eligible children will receive benefits equivalent to the value of breakfast, lunch, and a snack at the free rate for each day of a summer month or school closure period. A "school closure period" is specifically defined as a time when an elementary or secondary school is closed, operating remotely, or functioning in a hybrid manner for five or more consecutive weekdays within a calendar year. This ensures that benefits are provided during various types of disruptions to in-person schooling. To support states in implementing this expanded program, the bill revises the federal reimbursement structure for administrative expenses. Initially, states will receive 100 percent federal reimbursement for these costs in fiscal year 2026, which will then gradually decrease to 50 percent by fiscal year 2031 and subsequent years. Furthermore, the legislation authorizes $50 million in implementation grants to help states develop or upgrade the necessary data systems to effectively administer the program.
This bill, known as the "Stop Child Hunger Act of 2025," significantly expands the existing summer electronic benefits transfer (EBT) program for children. Its primary purpose is to ensure that children continue to receive crucial food assistance not only during summer months but also during other qualifying school closure periods. This expansion aims to combat child hunger by providing consistent access to nutritious meals when schools are not fully operational. Under the expanded program, eligible children will receive benefits equivalent to the value of breakfast, lunch, and a snack at the free rate for each day of a summer month or school closure period. A "school closure period" is specifically defined as a time when an elementary or secondary school is closed, operating remotely, or functioning in a hybrid manner for five or more consecutive weekdays within a calendar year. This ensures that benefits are provided during various types of disruptions to in-person schooling. To support states in implementing this expanded program, the bill revises the federal reimbursement structure for administrative expenses. Initially, states will receive 100 percent federal reimbursement for these costs in fiscal year 2026, which will then gradually decrease to 50 percent by fiscal year 2031 and subsequent years. Furthermore, the legislation authorizes $50 million in implementation grants to help states develop or upgrade the necessary data systems to effectively administer the program.