FY 06 Food Stamp Program Participation Grants
On September 7, 2006, the FNS announced the
awardees of the fiscal year (FY) 2006 Food Stamp Program Participation
Grants. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L.
107-171) (the Farm Bill) authorized the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
to award $5 million dollars in grants for FY 2003 through FY 2007. These
grants are targeted to State agencies, public health or educational
entities, or private nonprofit entities such as community-based or
faith-based organizations, food banks, or other emergency feeding
organizations. The grants are specifically for projects aimed at
simplifying the food stamp application and eligibility determination
systems or improving access to food stamp benefits by eligible
households. This year FNS sought projects that included partnerships
between State and community and faith-based organizations and projects
that targeted traditionally economically depressed areas that cross
state boundaries. See below for descriptions of the FY 2006 projects.
State Information Technology Consortium (SITC),
in partnership with the Virginia Department of Social Services, the
Virginia Legal Aid Society, the Virginia Department for the Aging and
its local Meals on Wheels organizations will receive $999,993 to develop
an automated, joint food stamp and Meals on Wheels application that can
be used at clients’ homes with mobile technology. It will also develop
an XML web service that takes data from Legal Aid’s phone and online
database intake process, uses it to populate a food stamp application,
and routes the application to the appropriate local DSS. SITC will post
the source code, business process documentation and technical
documentation on the Internet for use by any organization interested in
replicating this strategy.
San Francisco Human Services Agency, in
partnership with various community-based and faith-based organizations,
will receive $1 million to establish a phone bank, a web-based screening
and application tool, and remote enrollment and recertification sites in
neighborhoods throughout the city. The phone bank will provide
recertification services to on-going participants and information,
pre-screening, and application services to potential participants. The
web-based screening and application tool will allow individuals to
submit an application on-line. The remote enrollment centers will be
supplied with computers, web-cams, fax machines and scanners so
applicants/recipients can complete the entire
application/recertification process from these remote locations,
including the face-to-face interview.
The Georgia Department of Human Resources,
in partnership with Georgia Cares in the Division of Aging Services, and
Christ Lutheran Church, a faith-based organization, will receive $1
million to create a web-based food stamp application system. This system
will allow customers to pre-screen themselves for eligibility, to submit
applications directly on line, and to submit change reports via email.
Staff at Georgia’s already existing call centers will handle the online
applications and the change reports. This new system will also enable
eligibility workers to transfer cases between county lines. Georgia
Cares will do outreach to seniors and help individuals apply for food
stamps at the same time they apply for Medicare Part D. Christ Lutheran
Church and other
community and faith-based organizations will distribute informational
materials, provide access to the web link, and assist individuals with
the application process if necessary.
Angel Food Ministries (AFM), with the
endorsement of the Alabama State Agency will receive $999,925 to place
computers and point of sale devices at 50 AFM sites. The computers will
be loaded with USDA’s pre-screening tool, a printable version of the
state agency’s food stamp application, a list of verification
requirements, and information about other community resources.
Individuals can prescreen themselves, fill out and print a food stamp
application, and research other forms of assistance. Volunteers at these
sites will be available to assist individuals with filling out the
application and delivering it to the appropriate food stamp office. AFM
will also place point of sale technology at these sites which will allow
recipients to use their EBT cards to purchase groceries from AFM at a
reduced rate. AFM hopes to replicate this project in Louisiana within
two years and subsequently to 500 AFM sites in 32 states.
AFM is a non-profit grocery relief provider and
authorized food stamp retailer that assists up to 1 million people a
month in 32 States by selling high quality groceries worth up to $75 for
a set fee of $25. The groceries can feed a family of four for a week or
a single senior citizen for a month.
California Statewide Automated Welfare
Systems (SAWS) C-IV Project, which includes Merced, Riverside, San
Bernardino, and Stanislaus counties, in partnership with many community
based organizations will receive $1 million to develop a program that
will allow individuals to apply for food stamps over the internet. The
“C-IV Yourself” project will also generate a list of needed
verifications. Individuals will be able to access their personal
information with the use of a Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Community based organizations will do outreach, marketing, and
application assistance.
Last Modified:
11/21/2008
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