State Administrative Matching Grants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Formally known as the Food Stamp Program.
Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
Program Accomplishments
Paid approximately 50 percent of State administrative cost of providing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
Uses and Use Restrictions
To provide Federal funding for administrative costs incurred by State and local agencies to operate SNAP.
Unless authorized by Federal legislation, outlays charged to other Federal grants or to Federal contracts may not be considered as State agency costs.
Submission of claims for payments of administrative costs shall be in accordance with 7 CFR 277 of the SNAP Regulations.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Agreements are between USDA-FNS and State cooperators.
(U.S.
Territories qualify as States for grant purposes.)
Beneficiary Eligibility
Agreements are between USDA-FNS and State cooperators. (U.S. Territories qualify as States for grant purposes.)
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments, 7 CFR 277, and cost allocation plans negotiated by a cognizant Federal agency for State government.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
No preapplication forms are required.
A plan of operation must be submitted by the State agency prior to approval for funding.
The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No.
A-102, as implemented by 7 CFR part 3016, must be used for this program.
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedures
State governments may apply for Federal financial aid in accordance with requirements outlined in 7 CFR Parts, 271 and 277. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedures
Food and Nutrition Service funds State cooperator operations.
Deadlines
Budgets are due to FNS August 15.
Authorization
Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, Section 16, Public Law 95-113, 91 Stat. 958, 7 U.S.C. 2025; Public Law 99-198, Public Law 105-33, Public Law 105-185.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
30 days.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Annually, as of October 1.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Federal agency funds 50 percent of State administrative costs, including the costs of SNAP benefit fraud investigations and prosecutions costs of developing certain computer systems as provided for in 7 CFR 277, and the cost incurred in the verification of alien status. Administrative cost-sharing is authorized by Section 16 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2025). By April 1, 1987 all States were to implement an Employment Training (E&T) Program mandated by Public Law 99-198. States' E&T programs are funded by individual grants requiring no State matching; should a State's costs exceed the grant allocation, additional funding is available on a 50 percent basis. The Federal agency shall also pay 50 percent of States' costs of reimbursing participants' costs of dependent care as a result of E&T participation, not to exceed the applicable local market rate and other reimbursable participant expenses, not to exceed $25 per month per participant, and 50 percent of costs for case management or casework to facilitate the transition from economic dependency to self-sufficiency through work. The Balanced Budget Act (Public Law 105-33) provides additional funding for grants to States (which do not require a State match) for work/training programs generally targeted for non-working able-bodied adults without dependents. These funds were reduced by Public Law 105-185. Nutrition education grants (authorized by Public Law 105-33 to private nonprofit organizations or State agencies are available with the Federal share of costs limited to 50 percent.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Annually by fiscal year.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Reports are submitted as required by 7 CFR Parts 272 and 277.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of State Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," State and local government, and Nonprofit organizations that expend Federal financial assistance of $500,000 or more within any fiscal year shall have either a single audit or (in certain cases) a program specific audit made for that year. Audits may be conducted less frequently under conditions specified in OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all records pertinent to a grant program shall be retained for a period of 3 years. Additionally, those record retention requirements outlined in 7 CFR Part 3016, apply to this program.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-3505-0-1-605.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 $2,508,553,167; FY 08 est $2,620,000,000; and FY 09 est $2,723,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$1.7 million to $491.2 million: $51.4 million in FY 07.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
7 CFR Parts 275, 276, 277 and 3016.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Associate Administrator, Special Nutrition Assistance Program, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA 22302. Contact: Jessica Shahin, Acting Associate Administrator, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Telephone: (703) 305-2026.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
None.
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