SNAP Process, Technology Improvement Grants Application Announced

Washington, DC, May 1, 2015 – Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon announced today the availability of $5 million in competitive grants to improve application processing and use of technology in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Applications for the grants are due June 2.

“SNAP is the nation’s first line of defense against hunger, helping millions of eligible Americans put food on the table,” Concannon said. “These grants will fund projects that will further modernize the administration of this vital nutrition assistance program and improve access for eligible families.”

USDA is seeking grant applications that focus on modernization projects to improve the quality and efficiency of operations and processes at the local level. Specifically, the Food and Nutrition Service is interested in contemporary solutions to improve application processing timeliness for initial applications or re-certifications.

“Americans support helping struggling families put food on the table but they want to know that taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely,” Concannon said. “These grants will help increase efficiency at the local level.”

Priorities for 2015 funding include proposals that streamline the workflow process, incorporate technology improvements for client services, or reduce churning – when a household exits and then re-enters the program within four months. The entities eligible to apply include:

• State and local agencies that administer SNAP
• State or local governments
• Agencies providing health or welfare services
• Public health or educational entities
• Private non-profit entities, such as community-based or faith-based organizations, food banks, or other emergency feeding organizations

The three-year grants will be announced no later than Sept. 30, 2015. For more information please see the Request for Application at www.grants.gov.

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, these programs include Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, the National School Lunch Program, and the Summer Food Service Program which together comprise America's nutrition safety net.