SNAP Briefing – PARIS Conference

March 14, 2012

Topics Covered

• SNAP Client Integrity• Payment Accuracy• 2008 Farm Bill Certification Rules• Simplified Reporting

Focus on SNAP Client Integrity

SNAP Client Integrity• SNAP integrity is a long standing FNS

priority.

• Media attention on recipient misuse of benefits highlighted trafficking in particular.

• Need for new and creative approaches to combat recipient fraud.

SNAP Client Integrity

Troubling Activities• Advertising the sale of EBT cards on

Craigslist, Facebook, etc.• Excessive EBT card replacements.• Unexplained out of State transactions.

SNAP Client IntegrityCommunication to States and Public

emphasizing importance of client integrity• Letters to State Commissioners• Conferences• Visits to Individual States• New website – one stop portal http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fraud.htm

SNAP Client Integrity

Policy Guidance and Initiative• “Intent to sell” benefits or EBT Cards• Use of FNS information on retailer

actions• Data matching • Partnership Fund Pilot Project

Payment Accuracy

Reducing Improper Payments

Work closely with State partners to:

• Ensure that only those families who are eligible for the Program participate

• Ensure that the correct amount of benefits is provided to them

Payment Accuracy

• Currently over 98% of those receiving SNAP are eligible to participate

• Payment accuracy is at 95.96%, a historic high

• Payment errors are less than half of what they were 10 years ago.

• Reduced improper payments by more than $3 billion in recent years.

2008 Farm Bill Certification Rules

Eligibility, Certification, and E&T Provisions• Most 2008 farm bill certification provisions

in this rule• All statutory provisions in rule effective

October 1, 2008• Published May 5, 2011• Received 120 comments• Final rule by year’s end

Mandatory Provisions

• New Program name!• Excluded military combat pay• Raised standard deduction and minimum

benefit for small households• Eliminated dependent care caps• Assets indexed to inflation, retirement &

education accounts • E&T funds limited to 1 year

Optional Provisions

• Simplified reporting extended to all HHs

• State-funded cash assistance ending qualifies for TBA

• Spoken signatures allowed

• Job services for E&T Clients

.

Fleeing Felon Rule • Dates back to PWORA• Section 4112 -- Define “fleeing” and

“actively seeking”• 30 comments received• Final rule expected within a year

Major System Failures Rule

• Section 4133 -- States, not clients, responsible for over issuances caused by systemic errors related to automated eligibility systems

• Rule defines “major system failure” and procedures to be followed

“Bottle Deposit” Rule

• June 2011 proposed rule addresses important program integrity safeguards--

• Trafficking violations and dual participation issues in FDPIR/SNAP

• Section 4132 -- Buying food to sell for cash or dumping beverages to get bottle deposit = trafficking

• Section 4211 -- Disqualification in FDPIR = Disqualification in SNAP

Simplified Reporting

Rationale for SR

• Reduced reporting benefits clients and States

• Households get stable benefits• States save administrative costs• Error rates reduced• Almost all States on SR• SR benefits outweigh costs

SR in its Current Form

• All households certified for 4 months can be assigned to SR

• 2008 Farm Bill Provisions codified in January 29, 2010 final rule

• States may act only on positive changes orStates may act on all changes

Proposed Revisions to SR

• Codify FNS 2009 blanket waiver to:

oNot require asset reporting over SNAP limits for categorically eligible households

oNot require changes in vehicle values if States use TANF vehicle asset rules

Questions?

Questions & AnswersContactsJane Duffield, ChiefState Administration BranchProgram Accountability and Administration DivisionJane.Duffield@fns.usda.govPhone: 703 605-4385

Linda Jupin, Assistant ChiefCertification Policy BranchProgram Development DivisionLinda.Jupin@fns.usda.govPhone: 703 305-2468