Disaster Relief Appropriations Act-Emergency Food Assistance Program (Commodities)
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.
Mid Atlantic Regional Office
Northeast Regional Office.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2012: Program not authorized. Fiscal Year 2013: Provide USDA Foods to State and local agencies for distribution to needy persons for use at home or for use at sites which serve prepared meals. Fiscal Year 2014: No Current Data Available
Uses and Use Restrictions
USDA Foods provided under this CFDA number are intended to be used to help replace foods that were diverted for Hurricane Sandy relief.
USDA Foods can only be used to provide food assistance to needy persons, and may be provided for household consumption or for congregate feeding.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State agencies that are designated as distributing agencies by the Governor or other appropriate State executive authority may receive and distribute USDA Foods.
States can distribute these foods to eligible recipient agencies, such as food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and other eligible agencies, including faith-based organizations.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Low-income and needy individuals impacted by Hurricane Sandy, including persons that are homeless, unemployed, underemployed, or receiving public assistance. The State agency must establish income based eligibility criteria to ensure the USDA Foods are provided to the low-income persons. Persons interesting in receiving TEFAP foods should contact their State agency (http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/contacts/SdaContacts.htm) for more information on how to access the program.
Credentials/Documentation
Low-income individuals receiving USDA Foods for home consumption must establish eligibility to participate in the program on the basis of State eligibility standards. All individuals seeking food assistance at sites which serve prepared meals are presumed to be eligible to receive meals. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. 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. All States are eligible to participate; the State does not need to complete an application.
Award Procedures
Awards are being provided to the States affected by Hurricane Sandy, as evidenced by major disaster declarations and eligibility for individual assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). One-half of the TEFAP supplemental funding was allocated to States based on the population of counties that received major disaster declarations from FEMA, and one-half of funding was allocated to States based on the population of counties eligible for individual disaster assistance from FEMA. Under the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 (P.L. 113-2, the "Act"), USDA was able to allocate the funds without regard to the statutory formula used to allocate TEFAP resources provided through the regular appropriations process. Although the assistance was offered as additional USDA Foods, the Department gave States the option to convert some or all of their supplemental assistance to TEFAP administrative funds under 10.590, provided the States could show sufficient justification for making this conversion. The justification needed to include a proposal for how the supplemental administrative funds will be allocated within the State, and the types of administrative expenses for which the funds will be spent.
Deadlines
Not Applicable.
Authorization
Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, Public Law 98-8, 97 Stat. 35, 7 U.S.C 7501; Hunger Prevention Act of 1988, Public Law 100-435, 102 Stat. 1647; Public Law 101-624, 104 Stat. 3359; Public Law 104-193, 110 Stat. 2105; Public Law 104-127, 110 Stat. 1029; Public Law 107-171, 116 Stat. 330; Public Law 110-246, 122 Stat. 1882; American Recovery Act and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5; Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, Public Law 113-2.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Not Applicable.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Federal/State agreements in effect for the administration of TEFAP are sufficient for funds received through the Hurricane Sandy supplemental, and are ongoing and amended as necessary. Individuals receiving food for home consumption are recertified periodically. Persons receiving USDA Foods in the form of meals from sites which serve prepared meals are presumed to be eligible.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
This program has no matching requirements.
This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
None. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
No reports are required.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Normal records accounting for receipts and dispersals; retention required for 3 years following the close of the fiscal year or until any outstanding audit, claim, or litigation is settled.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-3507-0-1-605.
Obigations
(Formula Grants) FY 12 Not Available(Exp: Program Not Authorized.); FY 13 est $4,603,000; and FY 14 Estimate Not Available - Awards have not been made available in prior fiscal years under this CFDA number.
The assistance offered through the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 was offered as additional USDA Foods under 10.591. However, the Department gave States the option to convert some or all of their supplemental assistance to TEFAP administrative funds, provided the States could show sufficient justification for making this conversion.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
To be determined. Awards have not been made available in prior fiscal years under this CFDA number.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
7 CFR Part 251; refer to 7 CFR Part 250 for applicable provisions on USDA Foods handling.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. Mid Atlantic Regional Office
Northeast Regional Office.
Headquarters Office
Ashley Bress 3101 Park Center Drive, Suite 500, Alexandria, Virginia 22302 Email: ashley.bress@fns.usda.gov Phone: 7033052674
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Low-income and needy individuals impacted by Hurricane Sandy, including persons that are homeless, unemployed, underemployed, or receiving public assistance. The State agency must establish income based eligibility criteria to ensure the USDA Foods are provided to the low-income persons. Persons interested in receiving TEFAP foods should contact their State agency (http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/contacts/SdaContacts.htm) for more information on how to access the program.
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
The Social Innovators of 2014
For 2014, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship has recognized 37 individuals for their outstanding work in the field of social enterprise.
