USDA-FNS Grant for Streamlining SNAP Access and Eligibility

The 53 State agencies that administer the SNAP;
State or local governments;
Agencies providing health or welfare services;
Public health or educational entities; and
Private non-profit entities such as community-based or faith-based organizations, food banks, or other emergency feeding organizations.

The purpose of this grant competition is to support efforts by State agencies and their
community-based and faith-based partners to develop and implement Simple SNAP application and eligibility determination systems; or Measures to improve access to SNAP benefits by eligible applicants. This RFA seeks diverse proposals that would make the entire process, from certification to recertification, easier and more efficient for applicants and participants.

Forms and Letters of Commitment/Endorsement are exempt from the page limitation.

The entities eligible to receive grants under this competition are:

• The 53 State agencies that administer the SNAP1;

• State or local governments1;

• Agencies providing health or welfare services2;

• Public health or educational entities2; and

• Private non-profit entities2 such as community-based or faith-based organizations, food banks, or other emergency feeding organizations.

1 State agencies and State and local governments should have the necessary approvals of state officials (such as councils or legislatures) of funding prior to submitting the application. Applicants should also acknowledge in their application that all necessary approvals for funding have been obtained.

2 Non-profit organizations are required to submit a copy of the IRS Determination Letter, form 501(c)(3) or proof of application for exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, a list of their Board of Directors if applicable, and their most recent audited financial statements signed by the Treasurer or the Treasurer of the board. Educational entities are also required to submit their most recent financial statements signed by the Treasurer or Treasurer of the board. Applications submitted without these will be considered non-responsive and eliminated from consideration.

The entities eligible to receive grants under this competition are:

• The 53 State agencies that administer the SNAP1;

• State or local governments1;

• Agencies providing health or welfare services2;

• Public health or educational entities2; and

• Private non-profit entities2 such as community-based or faith-based organizations, food banks, or other emergency feeding organizations.

1 State agencies and State and local governments should have the necessary approvals of state officials (such as councils or legislatures) of funding prior to submitting the application. Applicants should also acknowledge in their application that all necessary approvals for funding have been obtained.

2 Non-profit organizations are required to submit a copy of the IRS Determination Letter, form 501(c)(3) or proof of application for exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, a list of their Board of Directors if applicable, and their most recent audited financial statements signed by the Treasurer or the Treasurer of the board. Educational entities are also required to submit their most recent financial statements signed by the Treasurer or Treasurer of the board. Applications submitted without these will be considered non-responsive and eliminated from consideration.

• Simple SNAP application and eligibility determination systems; or

• Measures to improve access to SNAP benefits by eligible applicants.

This RFA seeks diverse proposals that would make the entire process, from certification to recertification, easier and more efficient for applicants and participants.

Grant proposals should focus on improving the quality and efficiency of operations and processes within the SNAP office that improve the ability of applicants to access benefits. Specifically, FNS is interested in initiatives that make it easier for applicants to apply for benefits, improve application processing timeliness for initial applications and re-certifications, and reduce churning.

We encourage potential applicants to carefully read the five review criteria listed in the RFA. These criteria outline the qualities FNS expects successful proposals to have; they will also guide the reviewers’ evaluation of proposals.

Difference between the Program Participation Grants and the Outreach Grants

Improving access differs from performing outreach. To understand these differences, we encourage you to read the paragraph under the heading “Difference between the Program Participation Grants and the Outreach Grants.” Over the years grants have supported strategies that have improved access, timeliness and accuracy. For example, FNS has funded web-based systems, online benefit tools, call centers and technology (such as document imaging). Grant proposals should not be made for the ongoing costs of carrying out any project. The proposal should be new to the locality.

Program participation grants support projects that make it easier for applicants to go through the process to receive SNAP benefits. Access activities may include new technology, business process re-engineering, or increasing the number of ways in which applicants can submit their applications. This may include out-stationing an eligibility worker who can provide application assistance, perform the interview and actually submit the application to the State agency. Whereas outreach initiatives strive to increase SNAP participation by marketing the program, providing application assistance, and expanding the range and number of places people can go to get information and assistance with their SNAP applications. Because “application assistance” can be both outreach and access, it is important that the proposal distinguish between the two. Application assistance in its purest form is when an individual helps an applicant fill out an application. This is outreach. When the assistance goes beyond helping someone fill out the application and includes helping someone actually get the application to the office it becomes access. For example, when a volunteer helps an applicant fill out an online application that is then submitted directly to the State agency that is access. Program Participation Grants do not support projects that devote more than 25 percent of the requested grant funds to outreach activities, such as advertising, pure application assistance, screening/pre-qualifying applicants – or whose purpose is to attract or recruit SNAP applicants.