FY 2015 SNAP Recipient Integrity Information Tech Grant

Section 29 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, (the Act) (7 USC 2036b) provides the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) resources to prevent trafficking in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Up to $7.5 million has been appropriated for fiscal year (FY) 2015 for state agencies to prevent recipient trafficking of SNAP benefits by employing information technologies (IT) to administer SNAP and enforce regulations.

The purpose of the SNAP Recipient Integrity Information Technology Grant Program is to provide grants on a competitive basis to state agencies for the implementation of new, or the improvement of existing, IT systems to assist with the prevention, detection, and prosecution of SNAP recipient trafficking.

Awardees

Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (AK)
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services will install a statewide fraud case management system. Through a request for proposal (RFP), the state will solicit a contractor to develop and install a centralized database. This database will replace its current outdated regional systems. The new system will facilitate accurate reporting to FNS and within the state. The contractor will also develop a case-tracking system with automated workflows and report templates. These workflows and templates will be tailored to the state’s unique investigative processes. Awarded $1,682,196.
Maine Department of Health and Human Services (ME)
The Maine Department of Health and Social Services will install a statewide fraud case management system. This system will match its newly installed eligibility system. Through a RFP, the state will solicit a contractor to develop and install a centralized database. This database will replace its multiple outdated and unconnected systems. The new system will facilitate accurate reporting to FNS and within the state. The contractor will also develop a case-tracking system. It will have automated workflows and report templates tailored to the state’s unique investigative processes. Awarded $554,453.
Mississippi Department of Human Services (MS)
The Mississippi Department of Human Services will team with Mississippi State University to develop and install an Early Detection and Fraud Investigation Management System. The system will track investigations throughout their lifecycles. It will also provide case-specific workflows and report templates. In addition, the partnership will develop statistical models to identify potential fraud and prioritize investigations. The models will scrutinize state databases for suspicious activity and automatically analyze benefit redemption patterns of individuals referred for investigation. These models will also automatically conduct cost-benefit prioritization for potential investigations by analyzing the likelihood of fraud and its potential value. Awarded $1,917,127.
Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (NV)
Nevada will purchase Case Management Software and Fraud Detection service. The case management system will allow tracking of investigations throughout their lifecycle and provide case-specific workflows and report templates. It will also facilitate accurate reporting to FNS and within the state. The fraud detection service will provide software and support staff for advanced data analysis to identify potential fraud and prioritize investigations. The service will also provide assistance with, and training for, building successful cases using data analysis. Awarded $1,567,326.
New Jersey Department of Human Services (NJ)
The New Jersey Department of Human Services will develop and install a statewide case management system. The system will be modeled after the recently installed SNAPTrac eligibility tracking system. The contractor will create a centralized database to coordinate reporting among the state’s county agencies. They will also work with investigative staff to develop workflows and reporting templates. These tools will facilitate investigations throughout the state and standardize activities among county agency investigation units. Awarded $3,715,380.