# The MEALS Act of 2025: Protecting Summer Food Benefits from Theft

This bill addresses a growing problem where families receiving summer food assistance have their benefits stolen through fraud schemes like card skimming and card cloning. When criminals use these methods, they illegally access the debit cards that hold families' summer food money, draining accounts that were meant to help feed children during school breaks. The MEALS Act requires states and tribal organizations to replace stolen benefits so families don't lose out on food assistance due to criminal activity.

Here's how it works in practice: If a family's summer food benefits card gets skimmed at a gas station or store, and criminals drain the account, the family can file a claim with their state agency. The state must then verify the theft actually happened and replace those stolen funds. For example, if a family had $500 in summer benefits stolen, they can get that $500 back—up to the amount they originally received. The bill sets a deadline for states to create plans explaining how they'll handle these claims, including how quickly they'll process them and what documentation they'll require from families.

The bill also requires the federal government to work with states, retailers, and payment processors to figure out where and how these thefts are happening most often, then develop better security measures to prevent them in the first place. The Department of Agriculture must issue guidance on fraud prevention techniques and eventually issue formal regulations. Additionally, a government audit will examine whether the summer food benefits system has adequate security protections compared to what banks and credit card companies use.

Essentially, this bill creates a safety net for low-income families whose summer food assistance gets stolen through fraud, ensuring they can get replacement benefits while also pushing for better security to prevent these thefts from happening in the first place.