HR6819-119

What This Bill Does

The Bridge to Summer Nutrition Act changes how states are reimbursed for administering the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program for children. For each fiscal year in which a state operates Summer EBT under section 13A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, the Secretary of Agriculture must pay the state 90 percent of monthly administrative costs. The covered administrative costs include costs for the Summer EBT program and related Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program administrative costs under section 16(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act. The bill does not directly change household benefit levels; it increases federal support for state administration.

Who Benefits and How

State agencies benefit because the federal government covers 90 percent of monthly administrative costs for Summer EBT operations. Low-income children and families benefit indirectly if the higher reimbursement makes states more able to operate and sustain Summer EBT during school breaks. School meal and nutrition advocates benefit from stronger state incentives to participate. SNAP administrators benefit from federal reimbursement for related administrative work.

Who Bears the Burden and How

USDA Food and Nutrition Service staff must reimburse and monitor state administrative costs. Federal taxpayers bear a larger share of Summer EBT administration. State agencies still must document monthly costs and operate the program. States not operating Summer EBT do not receive the reimbursement and may face pressure from families or advocates to participate.

Key Provisions

• Requires USDA to pay states 90 percent of monthly administrative costs for Summer EBT when a state operates the program.
• Expands reimbursement to related SNAP administrative costs tied to Summer EBT.
• Improves state incentives to operate Summer EBT without directly changing household benefit amounts.
• Requires state agencies to document and claim eligible monthly administrative costs.