MEALS Act of 2025

Key Points

• This bill requires states and Tribal organizations to give back money to families if their Summer EBT benefits are stolen. This often happens when criminals use electronic devices to copy card information, which is known as skimming or cloning.
• The government will create new security rules to help prevent this kind of theft from happening in the first place. These rules will follow the same high standards used by regular credit and debit card companies to keep accounts safe.
• Families who have their benefits stolen would need to sign a statement and file a claim to get their money back. The amount they receive cannot be more than the amount of their most recent monthly payment.
• State agencies and Tribal groups must report how often these thefts happen and where they are taking place. This information will help the government find better ways to protect families and catch people who steal food benefits.
• The bill also asks for a major study to look at how well the Department of Agriculture is protecting these food programs. This study will offer new ideas on how to keep the payment systems safe from hackers and thieves.

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