SNAP Client Integrity and Payment Accuracy Highlights
The SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) conference in Paris on March 14, 2012, covered topics such as client integrity and payment accuracy. The focus was on combating recipient fraud and ensuring accurate benefit distribution. Troubling activities like the sale of EBT cards and unexplained transactions were highlighted. Efforts included communication to states, policy guidance, and initiatives to reduce improper payments. Payment accuracy has improved significantly, with over 98% of recipients eligible and a historic high in accuracy rates.
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Presentation Transcript
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 Integrity Communication 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
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.
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
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 or States may act on all changes
Proposed Revisions to SR Codify FNS 2009 blanket waiver to: o Not require asset reporting over SNAP limits for categorically eligible households o Not require changes in vehicle values if States use TANF vehicle asset rules
Questions & Answers Contacts Jane Duffield, Chief State Administration Branch Program Accountability and Administration Division Jane.Duffield@fns.usda.gov Phone: 703 605-4385 Linda Jupin, Assistant Chief Certification Policy Branch Program Development Division Linda.Jupin@fns.usda.gov Phone: 703 305-2468
