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Release No. 0448.09

Contact: Jean Daniel (703) 305-2281

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  Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Outreach Grants in Six States

Funding for Pilots to Reach Underserved Elderly and Working Poor

 WASHINGTON, September 17, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced grants totaling $3 million to six State agencies for pilot outreach programs to increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation in eligible seniors age 60 and older and working poor households.

"President Obama has made it a top priority to ensure that all Americans facing economic hardship have access to nutritious food," Vilsack said. "Historically, seniors and the working poor participate in SNAP at lower levels than the general population, and these important outreach efforts can help close that gap."

The approaches that will be tested for reaching SNAP-eligible elderly include a simplified phone application process; a locally stationed call center; and assistance from a faith-based organization serving different segments of low-income seniors. Models for reaching SNAP-eligible working poor households include assistance from a network of partners with existing relationships among the working poor; mobile applications specialists whose services will be marketed through new partners such as libraries and job centers; and a combination of strategies focused on working poor Latinos.

SNAP is the primary source of food assistance for low-income elderly persons, but just three of 10 elderly in this country who qualify for benefits participate. The national participation rate among eligible working poor has been about ten percent less than all eligible persons.

The pilots will be conducted in rural and urban counties and are expected to run two to three years. The six State agencies awarded grants, by target population, include:

State Agency and Target Population:

  • Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (Latino Working Poor)
  • Michigan Department of Human Services (Elderly)
  • Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (Elderly)
  • Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (Elderly)
  • Wisconsin Department of Health Services (Working Poor)
  • Washington Department of Social and Health Services (Working Poor)

For more information on USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, please visit www.fns.usda.gov.

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Last modified: 10/09/2009