Release No.
188.07
Contact: Susan Acker (703) 305-2286
Printable version
USDA Awards $30 Million to States for
Exceptional Administration of the Food Stamp Program
Nebraska and Vermont Models for the Nation with Zero Negative Error Rates
This news release has been revised to include an updated chart
based on a new data set.
The chart below reflects corrected bonus award amounts based on
volume of households,
rather than volume of individuals as first reported. Though award
amounts have changed,
the States that will receive these bonuses remain the same.
WASHINGTON, June 29, 2007 --Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today
announced that $30 million will be awarded to states demonstrating excellence in
administering Food Stamp Program benefits in Fiscal Year (FY) 2006. Among those
states, Nebraska and Vermont reported an exceptional 0.00 negative error rate,
which indicates those two states served every eligible individual in the quality
control sample who applied for benefits. The overall national payment accuracy
rate for FY 2006 was 94.01 percent.
"One of USDA's top priorities is to increase access to and participation in
the Food Stamp Program while maintaining program integrity and I commend all
states that have ensured efficient, accurate and effective administration of
this crucial program," said Johanns. "In addition to increasing our nutrition
assistance budget by 70 percent since 2001, our 2007 Farm Bill proposes to bring
even more help to families in need."
USDA's 2007 Farm Bill proposes to improve access to food stamp benefits by
excluding college education, retirement savings accounts and military combat pay
when determining eligibility for benefits and eliminating the cap on dependent
child care expenses. To improve nutrition for those who benefit from other
nutrition programs,
USDA proposes to spend $2.75 billion over the next 10 years to purchase
fruits and vegetables for commodity programs. USDA also proposes to spend an
additional $500 million on fruits and vegetables specifically for USDA school
meals programs.
As authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill, each year USDA awards $24 million among
the seven states with the best payment accuracy rates and the three states with
the most improved payment accuracy rates. The states with the best payment
accuracy rates in FY 2006 were South Dakota, Missouri, Washington, Mississippi,
North Carolina, Hawaii, and the Virgin Islands. The most improved states were
Rhode Island, Idaho and New York.
An additional $6 million will be divided among the four states with the
lowest negative error rates and the two states with the most improved negative
error rates. The states with the lowest negative rate in FY 2006 were Vermont,
Nebraska, Pennsylvania and South Dakota. The most improved were Vermont and
Rhode Island. Because Vermont qualified as one of the top states with the lowest
negative error rate as well as a most improved state, Minnesota, the fifth state
with the lowest negative error rate also will receive an award.
The payment accuracy rate measures overpayments and underpayments to
recipients.
The negative error rate measures improper denials or termination of benefits.
"I am pleased to report the national average of 5.99 percent remains well
below our strategic target goal of 6.2 percent," said Agriculture Under
Secretary Nancy Johner. "To ensure increased program integrity, FNS will
continue to support our state partners in their efforts to improve customer
service and payment accuracy."
The states below will receive the following awards:
Best Payment Accuracy Rates |
Most Improved Payment
Accuracy Rates |
•
|
South Dakota |
$347,653 |
•
|
Virgin Islands |
$148,643 |
•
|
Missouri |
$3,234,784 |
•
|
Washington |
$2,913,859 |
•
|
Mississippi |
$1,986,833 |
•
|
North Carolina |
$4,021,638 |
•
|
Hawaii |
$567,407 |
|
• |
Rhode Island |
$456,583 |
• |
Idaho |
$484,888 |
• |
New York |
$9,837,712 |
|
Best Negative Error Rates |
Most Improved Negative
Error Rates |
• |
Vermont |
$268,010 |
• |
Nebraska |
$466,639 |
• |
Pennsylvania |
$3,651,458 |
• |
South Dakota |
$270,011 |
• |
Minnesota |
$999,092 |
|
• |
Vermont - See Best for
VT |
• |
Rhode Island |
$344,790 |
|
USDA’s 15 nutrition assistance programs reach one in five Americans each year
and serve as our Nation’s first line of defense against hunger. They include the
Food Stamp Program (FSP), the school meals programs, and the Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
The Food Stamp Program serves more than 26 million low-income individuals each
month and enables participants to supplement their food budgets with more
nutritious foods.
#
Last modified:
03/27/2008
|