New Nutrition Bill Covers 90% of State Costs for Summer Food Assistance Programs

The Bridge to Summer Nutrition Act of 2025 is a focused piece of legislation designed to shore up the administrative backbone of summer food assistance programs for kids. Simply put, this bill commits the federal government to paying a much larger share of the operating costs for states that run these programs using Electronic Benefit Transfers (EBTs).

The Administrative Cost Lifeline

For states that run a summer EBT program—the system that puts money directly onto a card for families to buy food when school is out—the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture must now reimburse them for 90 percent of their monthly administrative costs for that year. Think of it like this: if a state spends $100,000 a month to process applications, issue EBT cards, and manage the system, the federal government will now chip in $90,000, leaving the state to cover only $10,000. This is a significant increase in financial support for state agencies.

Why 90% Matters for Your Wallet

This isn't just about shuffling money between Washington and state capitals; it’s about making sure these programs actually work without collapsing under the weight of their own complexity. Running an EBT system is expensive—it requires technology, staff, and fraud prevention measures. By covering 90% of the cost (Section 2), the bill removes a major financial hurdle for states to participate in or expand their summer food programs. For a working parent whose kids rely on these benefits when school meals aren't available, this means the program is much more likely to be stable, well-managed, and easy to access. Instead of having to worry about state budget cuts jeopardizing the summer benefits, the federal commitment provides stability.

Streamlining the Paperwork

Crucially, this higher 90% reimbursement rate doesn't just apply to the summer EBT program itself. It also applies to the administrative costs for the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the same period. This is a smart move that recognizes the reality on the ground: the staff and technology managing the summer EBT program are often the same ones running the regular SNAP program. By applying the higher funding rate to both, the bill simplifies the funding streams and allows state agencies to streamline operations, potentially reducing bureaucratic friction and making it easier for eligible families to get the help they need without navigating two separate administrative systems.