MEALS Act of 2025

Summary

Requires USDA to set ongoing guidance and formal regulations requiring State agencies and participating tribal organizations in the summer EBT program to adopt security measures to detect and prevent electronic theft of benefits, to create replacement procedures for stolen benefits subject to caps, and to coordinate with federal and local partners. It also requires submission of initial replacement plans within 60 days, an interim final rule within 1 year, and congressional and Government Accountability Office reports within 2 years describing theft patterns, protections, and recommendations.

• USDA must issue ongoing guidance and complete notice-and-comment regulations (interim final rule within 1 year) for summer EBT fraud prevention.
• States and participating tribal organizations must implement Secretary-determined security measures to detect and prevent electronic theft (e.g., skimming, cloning).
• Participating agencies must submit and implement replacement plans; existing participants must submit an initial plan within 60 days of enactment.
• Replacements for stolen benefits are limited to the lesser of the stolen amount or the household's prior summer EBT allotment and use funds under the program subject to caps.
• USDA must coordinate with HHS Office of Family Assistance, the Attorney General, States, tribes, retailers, and EBT contractors on theft methods, prevention, and reporting standards.
• USDA must report to Congress within 2 years on theft incidents, deterrence measures, and State/tribal plans; GAO must also issue a security and oversight assessment to Congress within 2 years.
• The change is limited to the summer EBT program and focuses on standardizing detection, replacement, and reporting across jurisdictions.
• Creates new compliance and administrative duties for State and tribal agencies and for EBT system contractors and retail partners.