Release No. 0236.03

Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623
Jean Daniel (703) 305-2286 

USDA Awards Over $5 Million in Food Stamp Program Participation Grants

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2003 – Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced grants totaling over $5 million to improve access and awareness of USDA’s Food Stamp Program for low-income households. Grants were given to five state agencies to simplify food stamp application and eligibility systems through the use of innovative technology strategies. The grants are part of the Bush Administration’s commitment to make it easier for the working poor, elderly and legal immigrants to access food stamp benefits.

“Providing nutrition assistance to eligible families is a top priority for the Bush Administration,” said Veneman. “Partnerships with state governments will help give families needed nutrition assistance.” 

In an effort to improve access to food stamp benefits by eligible households, the 2002 Farm Bill authorized USDA to award grants to test different approaches to simplifying the application process. The 2003 grantees, through the use of innovative technology, will improve the food stamp application process and work to identify and eliminate barriers to participation.

The Food Stamp Program, administered by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), is the cornerstone of federal nutrition assistance programs and provides crucial support to working poor and needy households. The program serves more than 20 million people, which is about 60 percent of those who are eligible to receive benefits.

“USDA’s nutrition assistance programs are an important safety net for those in need,” said Veneman. “These grants provide another opportunity to improve access for low-income Americans to a nutritious diet.”

Five grants were awarded out of over 50 proposals from states, nonprofit groups and other organizations. A complete list of the grants and a summary of each project is below. 

University of Oklahoma/Oklahoma Department of Human Services - $843,075
The project will systematically analyze barriers to participation and will produce a set of alternatives for removing them. At its conclusion, the project will have a Continuous Quality Improvement model to help Oklahoma update its application processing in the future. 

Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services - $1,709,524 
The project will develop an on-line “Customer Service Toolbox.” The toolbox will include a self-screening program, a full application for food stamps and other programs, a form to allow applicants to make changes to their applications and a program for applicants and participants to query the status of their applications. Sites throughout the state will test the on-line system as it is being developed, and help encourage its use through public education and hands-on assistance in using the system.

New Jersey Department of Human Services - $848,570 
The project will implement a statewide web-and-telephone based application process, including an on-line interview. The telephone system will provide answers to questions about food stamp applications, in up to 10 languages, 24 hours a day. 

Virginia Department of Social Services - $813,831 
The project will implement an on-line pre-screening and application system. The system will provide access to all governmental and private nutrition support services in the state. 

Rhode Island Department of Human Services - $785,000 
The project will redesign the state agency’s application and develop an on-line application system with scanner technology for entering verification documents into the system. 

More information on the Food Stamp Program participation grants is available at http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/ . Information on the 2002 Farm Bill can be found at http://www.usda.gov/farmbill .

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