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Release No. 0384.06

Kristin Scuderi (202) 720-4623
Susan Acker (703) 305-2286

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USDA Awards $18 Million to States for Excellent Customer
Service in Food Stamp Program

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2006 - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today awarded $18 million to states that provided timely provision of services and ensured access to nutrition assistance in the Food Stamp Program.

"I am pleased to award states that have demonstrated diligence and commitment in making sure the Food Stamp Program is carried out properly," said Johanns. "These awards recognize states that have achieved their goals and improved their performance in providing access to nutrition assistance to families in need."

The 2002 Farm Bill authorized USDA to provide awards to states that demonstrate high or improved performance in the administration of the Food Stamp Program. These awards recognize the importance of customer service in administering this critical nutrition program. Awards are being given to states with the best or most improved program access index--the ratio of participants to the number of people below 125 percent of poverty. Twelve million dollars are divided among the four states with the highest and the four states with the most improved program access index.

Awards also are given for timeliness of processing applications in fiscal year 2005. Six million dollars are divided among the six states with the highest percentage of timely processed applications.

These program access awards follow $30 million in program integrity bonuses that were awarded in June.

The Food Stamp Program provides support to needy households and to individuals making the transition from welfare to work. The program serves as the first line of defense against hunger. More than 26 million people in approximately 11 million households participate in the program.

The following states will receive awards:

Best Program Access Index

  • Missouri, $1,399,616

  • District of Columbia, $293,222

  • Maine, $440,475

  • Tennessee, $1,729,032

Most Improved Program Access Index

  • Washington, $1,192,325

  • Illinois, $2,366,422

  • New York, $4,088,410

  • Iowa, $490,498

Best Application Processing Timeliness

  • Massachusetts, $1,092,542

  • North Carolina, $2,035,244

  • District of Columbia, $350,003

  • Kentucky, $1,484,700

  • West Virginia, $742,671

  • Montana, $294,840

Further information about the Food Stamp Program is available at www.fns.usda.gov.


Last Modified: 03/27/2008