FNS, SSA Take Steps To Make SNAP Enrollment Easier
Without trying to sound like we’re spouting the latest catchphrase, here’s another example where we can say that teamwork makes the dream work. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced that they are enhancing their partnership to help connect people to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
SSA aims to help people access SNAP benefits in two critical ways. First, SSA employees will attempt to notify SSI applicants and recipients of their eligibility for SNAP. In addition, when everyone in a household is applying for or receiving SSI, SSA will help them apply for SNAP. Under federal law, FNS reimburses SSA for time and resources spent conducting SNAP screenings and forwarding SNAP applications to state agencies. Under USDA’s and SSA’s new joint agreement, or memorandum of understanding, the agencies seek to improve efficiency, help to advance food and nutrition security and reduce the barriers families face to obtain the government assistance they need.
The updated memorandum of understanding, which is renegotiated every five years, prioritizes efficiency by piloting alternatives to outdated paper-based application processes and collecting data to provide information that can lead to improvements later. Expanding the use of electronic applications and telephonic signatures will make it easier for SSI recipients to complete their SNAP application. SSA will also provide additional data to USDA on the number of SSI applicants not receiving SNAP and at what point they drop out of the application process.
“USDA is dedicated to working collaboratively with our federal partners to improve access to our nutrition assistance programs,” said Stacy Dean, deputy undersecretary for USDA's Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. “Allowing SSI applicants and recipients to apply for SNAP with SSA prevents applicants from having to provide the same paperwork to multiple offices and reduces burden on state and local administrators. We’re continually working to make it easier for all people, but especially vulnerable populations — like adults and children with a disability or blindness and people age 65 or older — to access the nutrition assistance they need and deserve.”
The partnership supports Executive Order 13571, Streamlining Service Delivery and Improving Customer Service, and underscores the Biden administration’s commitment to delivering better results for U.S. citizens by modernizing government programs and expanding equity in federal assistance programs. It also supports Pillar 1 of the Administration’s recently released National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, improving food access and affordability.
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