MEALS Act of 2025

The MEALS Act of 2025 targets fraud in the Summer EBT program, which provides nutrition benefits to low-income students during summer months. It requires the USDA Secretary to issue security guidance and enforce rules preventing card skimming and cloning that steal benefits, directing states and tribal organizations to adopt industry-standard security measures. The bill mandates procedures for replacing stolen benefits (up to the household’s annual allotment) after verified theft, including documentation and reporting requirements. States must submit replacement plans within 60 days and report theft data to the USDA, with a Comptroller General report due within two years assessing security risks. This directly affects state agencies, tribal organizations, retailers, and eligible households who experience benefit theft.