Sponsors (2)
The bill restores stolen Summer EBT benefits and strengthens payment-security standards to protect low-income households, but it increases federal and local costs and raises risks of undercompensation and greater data sharing/privacy exposure.
Low-income households: stolen Summer EBT benefits would be replaced (up to the household's allotment), restoring lost food purchasing power.
State agencies, Tribal organizations, retailers, and EBT contractors: will receive federal security standards, guidance, and clearer coordination to detect and prevent card skimming/cloning and reduce fraud opportunities.
Congress and oversight bodies (and indirectly state agencies): will receive GAO and USDA reports with findings and recommendations to improve payment-system security and oversight.
Taxpayers: federal funds will be used to replace stolen benefits, increasing program costs and federal expenditures.
State agencies and retailers: may incur additional compliance and equipment costs to meet new security and reporting requirements.
Eligible households: replacement is limited to the lesser of the amount stolen or the prior allotment, so some households may not be fully compensated if attribution is unclear.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires USDA to set rules to prevent/respond to Summer EBT theft, coordinate anti-fraud efforts, and replace stolen benefits under specified procedures.
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to create rules and guidance to prevent, detect, and respond to theft of Summer EBT benefits (including card skimming and cloning). It requires coordination with federal and state partners, retailers, tribal organizations, and EBT contractors; sets timelines for agency actions and reports; and requires replacement of stolen Summer EBT benefits within specified limits using funds available under the program. Requires states and other current program participants to submit benefit-replacement plans quickly, directs USDA to issue replacement-procedure regulations within one year, and requires departmental and Government Accountability Office reports to Congress within two years assessing security, oversight, and recommendations.
Introduced June 4, 2025 by Suzanne Bonamici · Last progress June 4, 2025