Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces $18 Million To States for Outstanding, Timely Nutrition Aid 

WASHINGTON, September 30, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $18 million in bonus awards to States for outstanding and timely customer service in providing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp Program, serves over 35 million Americans each month.

"During these challenging economic times, it is vital that SNAP applications are processed in a timely manner and that barriers to participation are torn down," Vilsack said. "The States we recognize today are leaders in these customer service efforts and can serve as models for other States."

Each year, USDA awards a total of $12 million in performance bonuses to eight States with the best and most improved program access index. The program access index is the ratio of participants to the number of persons below 125 percent of poverty and reflects State performance in reaching those eligible for these important nutrition benefits. USDA also awards $6 million to six States with the highest rate of timely processed applications, an important indicator of customer service in administering the Program.

States recognized with grants this year are:

Best Program Access Index:

	Alaska	$273,584
	District of Columbia	$476,947
	Missouri	$2,580,379
	Oregon	$2,021,483
	Tennessee	$3,342,208

Most Improved Program Access Index:

	Alaska	see 'best' above
	Maryland	$1,420,511
	Delaware	$356,813
	Wisconsin	$1,528,075

	Montana	$292,908
	Massachusetts	$1,548,018
	Virgin Islands	$127,370
	Louisiana	$1,865,726
	District of Columbia	$359,358
	Missouri	$1,806,620