FY 04 $196,000.00 to $5,126,000.00; $1,553,000.00 FY 05 $199,000.00 to $5,218,000.00; $1,581,000.00; FY 06 $204,000.00 to $5,356,000.00; $1,622,000.00. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: During fiscal year 2004, 28 States were cooperating under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and 25 States were cooperating under the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA). Their programs inspected about 500 million pounds of meat and poultry products. In fiscal year 2005 it is expected that 28 States will continue to cooperate under FMIA and 25 States will continue to cooperate under PPIA. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: FSIS Directive 5720.2, Revision 3, State Cooperative Inspection Programs. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a list of addresses of the District Offices. Headquarters Office: Director, Federal-State Liaison Staff, Field Operations, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Congressional Quarterly Building, Room 329, Washington, DC 20250- 3700. Contact: Dr. Muril Prasad. Telephone: (202) 418-8897. (Use same 7-digit number for FTS.) Web Site Address: http://www.fsis.usda.gov. RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.477, Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Not applicable. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: Not applicable. 10.477 MEAT, POULTRY, AND EGG PRODUCTS INSPECTION FEDERAL AGENCY: FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AUTHORIZATION: Federal Meat Inspection Act, Public Law 90-201, 21 U.S.C. 601-624, 641645, 661, 671-680; 691-695; Poultry Products Inspection Act, Public Law 90-492, 21 U.S.C. 451-471; Humane Slaughter Act, Public Law 85-765, 7 U.S.C. 1901-1906; Egg Products Inspection Act, Public Law 91-597, 21 U.S.C. 1031-1056; Agriculture Marketing Act of 1946, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627. OBJECTIVES: To assure that all meat, poultry and egg products produced in plants and shipped in commerce are federally inspected for safety, wholesomeness, and proper labeling. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Provision of Specialized Services. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Meat, poultry, and egg products plants located within the United States or its Territories engaged in slaughtering or processing meat, poultry, and egg products for shipment in commerce are required to have inspection. All plants located within the U.S. or its territories processing egg products are required to be under continuous USDA inspection. The Department of Agriculture is reimbursed for overtime and holiday inspection services. Inspection not required under law is provided on request for a fee. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: Any meat or poultry plant planning to engage in slaughtering or processing meat and poultry products, and all egg products processing plants for shipment in commerce. This program is available in the U.S. and its Territories. Beneficiary Eligibility: General public (meat, poultry, and egg products.) Credentials/Documentation: None. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Application Procedure: A request for inspection should be submitted to the Meat, Poultry and Egg Products Inspection District Office, or to the Administrator. Award Procedure: AUTHORIZATION: Public Law 108-7,Section 713, 117 Statute 39; Public Law 108-447; H.R. Conference Report 108-792. OBJECTIVES: To reduce the incidence of foodborne illnesses associated with meat, poultry, and egg products and to protect the food supply. FSIS is authorized to use cooperative agreements to reflect a relationship between FSIS and cooperators to carry out educational programs or special studies to improve the safety of the nation's food supply. Also, FSIS has been directed to further develop the Food Emergency Response Network, a network of Federal, state and local laboratories that provides the nation the analytic capabilities and capacity it needs to cope with agents threatening the food supply. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements). USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Available discretionary funds are contingent on annual appropriations. Work products, where appropriate, are to be made available for use by other government agencies and accessible by the general public. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: State, local and tribal government agencies; academic institutions and nonprofit organizations. Beneficiary Eligibility: General public. Credentials/Documentation: None. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: None. This program is excluded under E.O. 12372. Application Procedure: Academic institutions; State, local and tribal government agencies; and non-profit organizations are invited to submit brief proposals (two to four pages) for cooperative agreements in any of the areas described in the request for proposals along with an SF-424. These proposals will be reviewed by FSIS. The criteria used by FSIS to assess proposals are listed for each cooperative agreement program area in the request for proposals. Cooperators whose proposals are selected for further project development will need to discuss and reach agreement with FSIS on project details to permit establishment of a cooperative agreement. Unlike typical Federal grants, cooperative agreements involve a Federal agency's active participation with the cooperator during both project development and project execution. Work products, where appropriate, are to be made available for use by other government agencies and accessible by the general public. All proposals should address the following points: * Project description, including specific goals, timeline, and deliverables; Description of national public benefit expected, including expected utility of work products, for example, training manuals, CDs, and videos; * Projected costs, including cooperator contributions; * Projected performance measures; * Primary contact, principal investigator, and other likely participants, and; * All work products may be freely reproduced and distributed by FSIS. Award Procedure: * Cooperative agreement awards are made upon selection through a competitive process directed by the relevant FSIS program area. The program area identifies the awardees to the FSIS Administrative Services Division, which prepares and executes required documentation. Deadlines: Refer to the request for proposals for the applicable fiscal year which is advertised annually in the federal register and at www.fsis.usda.gov/About_FSIS/Cooperative_Agreements/. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Generally from 30 to 90 days from the deadline listed in the request for proposals. Appeals: Not applicable. Renewals: Renewals or extensions may be available under extraordinary circumstances if approved prior to the closing date of the initial agreements. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Not applicable. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Generally, funding will be available for projects up to one year. Multi-year projects will be considered, but they are subject to annual renewal and may be affected by changes in FSIS' annual budget. POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: Reports: The cooperative agreement will specify the frequency of submission of performance progress reports, which will not be more frequently than quarterly or less frequently than annually. Also, a comprehensive final report is required which documents all activities conducted within the partnership project. Audits: Recipients are subject to audit by the Office of the Inspector General, USDA, as set forth in OMB Circular No. A-133, or in Federal Acquisition Regulations. Records: The recipient will maintain at its place of business all records required by the partnership agreement and the applicable OMB Circulars. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Account Identification: 12-3700-0-1-554. Obligations: (Cooperative Agreements) FY 05 $2,527,627; FY 06 $1,000,000; and FY 07 $1,000,000. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: FY 2005 $12,400 to $100,000; $51,584; FY 2006 $12,000 to $100,000; $52,000; FY 2007 $12,000 to $100,000; $52,000. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The projects funded in fiscal year 2005 are expected to make demonstrable improvements in public health by promoting science-based reductions in the incidence of foodborne disease and other hazards associated with meat, poultry, and egg products, and to enhance food defenses through improved State and local government laboratory participation in the Food Emergency Response Network. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: 9 CFR 301-592, Inspection Regulations. Guidelines and literature can be found on FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: Not applicable. Headquarters Office: Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships and Outreach Staff; Food Safety and Inspection Service (Mail drop 405 Aerospace); U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250; Telephone: (202)690-6520. Web Site Address: www.fsis.usda.gov/About_FSIS/Cooperative_Agreements/. RELATED PROGRAMS: None. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Examples of funded projects are listed on FSIS web site at www.fsis.usda.gov/About_FSIS/Cooperative_Agreements/. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: Criteria used by the application review panel for recommending awards are listed in the request for proposals. 10.500 COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE FEDERAL AGENCY: COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: Smith-Lever Act, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 341-349; District of Columbia Public Postsecondary Education Reorganization Act, Public Law 93-471; Food and Agriculture Act of 1977, as amended; Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978, Section 1361(c), Public Law 95-306; Public Law 95-113, 7 U.S.C. 301n; Public Law 97-98; Agriculture and Food Act of 1981; Food Security Act of 1985, as amended, Public Law 99-198; Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, as amended, Public Law 102-624; Improving America's Schools Act of 1994, as amended, Public Law 103-382; Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Public Law 104-127; Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998, Public Law 105-185; Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000,Public Law 106-224, Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Public Law 107-171. OBJECTIVES: to help people improve their lives and communities through an educational process that uses scientific knowledge focused on issues critical to the economic, agricultural, societal, health/safety, and environmental progress of all Americans. Identify and solve their farm, home, and community problems through the practical application of research findings of USDA and the land-grant colleges and Universities. The Cooperative Extension System is a future-oriented, self-renewing, national educational network providing excellence in programs that focus on contemporary issues and needs of people. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Formula Grants; Project Grants. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Federal funding is made available to 1862, 1890, and 1994 Land-grant Institutions, which, through State and county extension service personnel, or by direct efforts provide educational and technical assistance to individuals, communities, organizations and other Federal and State authorized agencies for programs in the food and agricultural sciences. A facilities program, which is only authorized to fund projects at the 1890 Institutions for construction, renovation, planning and development of new facilities, and equipment is also conducted. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: By law, Extension programs, authorized and appropriated under the SmithLever Act, are made to the designated 1862 Land-Grant institutions in the 50 States and Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, and the District of Columbia, and are administered by the Director of the State Extension Service at each eligible institution. Funds also are made available to the 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University, under section 1444 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA) and are administered by the Extension Administrator at each eligible institution. Under section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act, funds may be made available through formula grants or through a competitive process to both the 1862 Land-Grant Institutions and to the 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, if funds appropriated for that fiscal year exceed the FY 1995 level appropriated for that program. Funds are also made available on a competitive basis to the 1994 Land-grant institutions under 534(b) of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994. Funds also are made available to the 1890 Land-Grant Institutions for Facilities Grants on a formula basis under section 1447 of NARETPA. Funds also are made available on a formula basis to both the 1862 and 1890 Land-Grant Institutions under the Renewable Resources Extension Act. Beneficiary Eligibility: Extension Programs at the State and county level are available to the general public. Credentials/Documentation: None. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A87. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: This program is excluded from coverage under Executive Order 12372 and Application Procedure: Institutions or States submit Plans of Work for the funds authorized under Award Procedure: Payments are made to State Land-grant institutions basically on a formula basis for an approved Plan of Work. Competitive grant awards also are made upon selection through a competitive process. Deadlines: Eligible recipients will be notified by CSREES of any changes in Plan of Work or reporting deadlines or related requirements. Deadlines for competitive programs are identified in the Request for Applications. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Plans of work are approved or returned for revision or additional information within 60 days after receipt. Project proposals are reviewed, approved, and awarded within 60 days of designated submission dates. Appeals: Not applicable. Renewals: Grant recipients may renew or extend projects with CSREES approval. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements: Smith-Lever Act Section 3(b) and 3(c), and Section 1444 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 formula funds are distributed to States based on farm and rural population. Funds authorized under Section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program are allocated based on population below the poverty level. The source for both of these distributions is the last preceding decennial census at the time an additional amount is first appropriated. Formula funds provided under the Smith-Lever Act Section 3(b) and (c) and under Section 1444 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 are matched as required in Public Law 105-185. The statistical factor used for eligibility does not apply to this program. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Formula Grants are a continuing program each year. Funds are made available through the electronic transfer system. 1862 Land-grant institutions in the 50 States, District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Micronesia, Northern Marianas and the Virgin Islands are permitted to carry over unexpended balances to the next year for up to five years. 1890 Land-Grant Institutions are permitted to carry over twenty percent of unexpended funding to the next year; funding not expended in the subsequent year will reduce future allocations. POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: Reports: Annual financial and statistical reports are furnished to the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service- USDA, by the State Extension Service and other recipients. 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," non federal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a programspecific 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: Financial records on annual expenditures are maintained in accordance with university or State Extension Service regulations. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Account Identification: 12-0502-0-1-352. Obligations: FY 05 $427,484,771; FY 06 $431,511,670; and FY 07 est $411,351,352. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $890,000 to $19,962,000; $7,210,000. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Significant accomplishments include: (1) A university worked with community residents to assess needs and strengths, develop resources and implement customized programs to reduce developmental risks for child and youth; (2) Funding has helped one State implement a pro-active educational approach to pest control to minimize the likelihood of potential problems for apples, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, field corn, turfgrass, several nursery crops and greenhouse crops. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: Guidelines applicable to this program include: 7 CFR Part 3; 7 CFR Part 3015; 7 CFR Part 3017; 7 CFR Part 3018; 7 CFR Part 3019; 7 CFR Part 3052. Many different publications are available from State and county extension offices. Most are free, some are sold at nominal cost. In addition, Department of Agriculture publications may be obtained from the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; United States Department of Agriculture; Policy, Oversight, and Funds Management Branch, Stop 2298; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-2298. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: Not applicable. Headquarters Office: Deputy Administrator, Planning and Accountability; Cooperative State Research Education, and Extension Service; United States Department of Agriculture; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720-5623. Web Site Address: http://www.reeusda.gov. RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.001, Agricultural Research_Basic and Applied Research; 10.025, Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care; 10.053, Dairy Indemnity Program; 10.153, Market News; 10.155, Marketing Agreements and Orders; 10.203, Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations Under the Hatch Act; 10.205, Payments to 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Tuskegee University; 10.477, Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection; 10.652, Forestry Research; 10.800, Livestock, Meat and Poultry Market Supervision; 10.902, Soil and Water Conservation; 15.611, Wildlife Restoration; 23.009, Appalachian Local Development District Assistance; 93.103, Food and Drug Administration_Research. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Identifying Field Parameters for Successful Postemergence Weed Management in Corn; Reducing Herbicide Input and Increasing Economic Output with Site-Specific Weed Management; National Network for Health; 4-H Communities Collaborating for Youth. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: Not applicable. 10.550 FOOD DONATION FEDERAL AGENCY: FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: National School Lunch Act, as amended; Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended; Mutual Security Act of 1954, as amended; Agricultural Act of 1956; Act of September 6, 1958, as amended; Act of September 13, 1960, as amended; Food and Agriculture Act of 1965, as amended; Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended; Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended; Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973, as amended; Public Law 74-320, as amended, Public Law 75-165; Public Law 93-288; Public Law 95-166, 91 Stat. 1334 and 1336; Public Law 95-627; Public Law 96-494; Public Law 97-98; Public Law 98-8, as amended; Public Law 100-237, 101 Stat. 1733; Public Law 100-435, 102 Stat. 1645; Public Law 101-147, 103 Stat. 877; Public Law 101-624, 104 Stat. 3359; Public Law 103-448, 108 Stat. 4699; 7 U.S.C. 612c, 612c note; 7 U.S.C. 1431, 1446a-1, 1859; 15 U.S.C. 713c; 22 U.S.C. 1922; 42 U.S.C. 1755, 1758, 1760, 1761, 1762a, 1766, 1777, 3030a, 3057c, 5179-5180; 49 U.S.C. 1751. OBJECTIVES: To improve the diets of school and preschool children; the elderly; needy persons in charitable institutions; other individuals in need of food assistance; and, to increase the market for domestically produced foods acquired under surplus removal or price support operations. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Sale, Exchange, or Donation of Property and Goods. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: USDA makes food available to State agencies for distribution to qualifying outlets, such as emergency feeding organizations, soup kitchens and food banks, schools, child and adult day care, charitable institutions, nutrition programs for the elderly, nonprofit summer camps and Summer Food Service for children. Individuals may not be charged. Donated foods may not be sold, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of (authorized distribution excepted) without prior, specific approval of the Department. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: Such State, Territorial and Federal agencies that are designated as distributing agencies by the Governor, legislature, or other authority may receive and distribute donated foods. School and other child feeding programs are eligible but must meet requirements concerning facilities, meal content, meal charges, etc. Charitable institutions are eligible to the extent they serve needy persons. Emergency feeding operations under Public Law 98-8 and amendments must provide food to needy persons including unemployed persons. All must apply to their responsible State distributing agency. Elderly nutrition programs that are funded under Title III or Title VI of the Older Americans Act of 1965 must apply to their State Agency on Aging to receive donated foods. Beneficiary Eligibility: Households in areas which participate in the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) authorized under Public Law 98-8 must meet eligibility requirements established by the State. All children in schools, child care institutions, and summer camps which participate in the program may benefit from food donations. Foods donated to charitable institutions (on the basis of needy persons served) may be used for the benefit of all served. Credentials/Documentation: Individual households are individually certified by local agencies based on the State eligibility standards for TEFAP. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: Households in areas which participate in the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) authorized under Public Law 98-8 must meet eligibility requirements established by the State. All children in schools, child care institutions, and summer camps which participate in the program may benefit from food donations. Foods donated to charitable institutions (on the basis of needy persons served) may be used for the benefit of all served. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Application Procedure: All States now have distributing agencies; no applications necessary. Local governments, schools, other child nutrition organizations, nonprofit summer camps for children, and charitable institutions, must apply to State distributing agencies on their forms. Under TEFAP, a household eligibility and distribution plan must be approved for each State; heads of households apply to receive commodities for home consumption to local welfare authorities on forms supplied by State or local office. Persons receiving donated foods in the form of meals from charitable institutions are presumed to be eligible. Award Procedure: Not applicable. Deadlines: None. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Not applicable. Appeals: Renewals: Program continues once approved unless withdrawal is requested or required because of program irregularities, persons receiving donated foods for home consumption are recertified periodically. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements: Foods are donated on the basis of allocations provided under legislative authority, and in accordance with availability and need. Under TEFAP, foods are allocated to each State on the basis of a formula combining the number of persons in the State living below the poverty level (60 percent) and the number of unemployed persons (40 percent). Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Food donations continuous. Semiannual inventory reports of commodities. Audits: In accordance with the provision of OMB Circular No. A- 133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-profit Organizations," State and local governments, and non-profit 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 A-133. The value of donated foods received for the year must be considered in determining if an audit is required. Records: Adequate to account for all receipts and dispositions; to be retained for 3 years following the close of the fiscal year. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Account Identification: 12-4336-0-3-351; 12-5209-0-2-605. Obligations: (Obligations Donations). (Donations) FY 05 $237,620,000; FY 06 $166,575,000; and FY 07 est $186,876,000. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Not applicable. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Through numerous initiatives, USDA has streamlined food distribution programs, made them more efficient, and improved customer service to its partners and stakeholders. Improvements include implementing a webbased Electronic Commodity Ordering System, establishing National Processing Contracts to simplify the processing of commodities into end products for schools, and improving food package offerings to recipients of the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: 7 CFR 240, 250; 251, 253,254. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: See Food and Nutrition Service Regional Offices listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. Headquarters Office: Food Distribution Division, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA 22302. Telephone: (703) 305-2680. Contact: Cathie McCullough, Director. Web Site Address: http://www.fns usda.gov/fdd. RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.551, Food Stamps; 10.553, School Breakfast Program; 10.555, National School Lunch Program; 10.556, Special Milk Program for Children; 10.557, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; 10.565, Commodity Supplemental Food Program; 10.567, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations; 10.568, Emergency Food Assistance Program (Administrative Costs); 84.010, Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies; 93.600, Head Start; 93.045, Special Programs for the Aging_Title III, Part C_Nutrition Services. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Not applicable. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: Not applicable. 10.551 FOOD STAMPS FEDERAL AGENCY: FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, Public Law 95- 113, 91 Stat. 958, 7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.; Public Law 95-348, Public Law 96-58, Public Law 96249, Public Law 97-35; Public Law 97-98; Public Law 97-253, Public Law 98-204, Public Law 98-369; Public Law 99-198, Public Law 99-425; Public Law 99-498, Public Law 99-603, Public Law 100-77, Public Law 100-175, Public Law 100-232, Public Law 100-387, Public Law 100-435, Public Law 100-503, Public Law 100-707, Public Law 101-202; Public Law 101-392; Public Law 101-508; Public Law 101-624; Public Law 102-237; Public Law 102-265; Public Law 102-325; Public Law 103-31; Public Law 103-66; Public Law 103-225; Public Law 103-286; Public Law 103-296; Public Law 104-66; Public Law 104-127; Public Law 104-193; Public Law 104-208; Public Law 105-18; Public Law 105-33; Public Law 105-185; Public Law 105-379; Public Law 106-171; Public Law 106-387; Public Law 107-171. OBJECTIVES: To improve diets of low-income households by increasing their food purchasing ability. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Direct Payments for Specified Use. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Households receive food stamp benefits which vary according to household size and income. The maximum allotment is based on the USDA Thrifty Food Plan for a household's size; household allotments are reduced by 30 percent of the available income after deducting certain expenses. Food stamp benefits are issued via electronic debit cards (Electronic Benefit Transfer) and may be used in participating retail stores to buy food for home consumption Food stamp benefits may be used by certain elderly and handicapped persons, and their spouses, for meals delivered to them in their homes by authorized meal delivery services or to purchase meals in establishments providing communal dining for the elderly. The program is available to a limited number of institutionalized persons: drug addicts and alcoholics who are participating in approved rehabilitation centers, disabled or blind persons receiving benefits under Titles I, II, X, XIV, or XVI of the Social Security Act living in certain group living arrangements, . residents of shelters for battered women and children, and homeless persons living in authorized shelters. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: The State or U.S. Territory agency responsible for Federally aided public assistance programs submits requests for funding to USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. Beneficiary Eligibility: Households may participate if they are found eligible by local social service agencies. Examples include most households who are receiving some form of welfare assistance, or are unemployed, part-time employed, working for low wages, or living on limited pensions. Eligibility is based on family size, income, and level of resources. A gross income test is based on 130% of the poverty line, and a net income (after expenses) test is based on 100% of the poverty line. Able-bodied adults with certain limited exceptions must meet a work requirement. Eligibility is limited to citizens and, most but not all, immigrants granted permanent legal status. Credentials/Documentation: Households are individually certified by local social service offices based on National eligibility standards, with verification as required by regulation. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372 and OMB Circular No. A-102. Application Procedure: The Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended (Public Law 95-113), requires each State agency to submit to the Food and Nutrition Service for approval, a plan of operation specifying the manner in which the Food Stamp Program will be conducted in every political subdivision within the State. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A110. Award Procedure: The Secretary of Agriculture designates each State agency that operates the program upon submission of a request. Deadlines: The authority to continue the Food Stamp Program has been extended through September 30, 2007. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Full implementation of the Nationwide mandate was completed in fiscal year 1975, except for certain Indian reservations which continued in the Food Distribution Program. Appeals: There are no appeals. Renewals: Program continues once approved, unless there is a substantial failure to comply with regulations or withdrawal on the part of the State. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements: Department of Agriculture pays 100 percent of the cost of benefits to individuals and households. The statistical factors used to set benefit levels are: 1. Cost of the thrifty food plan and the source is the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion; and 2. the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and components of the CPI (National, except for territories outside the continental United States) and the source is the Bureau of Labor Statistics (CPI for urban wage earners and clerical workers annually). The statistical factor used for eligibility is nonfarm poverty income guidelines and the source is the Federal poverty guidelines (modified). Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Length of assistance period varies and time phasing is not applicable. Annual budget summary statements; monthly report of coupons with a summary of inventory of coupons on hand (unless State Agency has converted, as most have since EBT was implemented nationwide in 2004, to exclusive EBT issuance Statewide); monthly and annual quality control reports; quarterly financial status report; quarterly report on claims against households; monthly mail issuance report provided quarterly; monthly issuance reconciliation report; monthly issuance and participation estimates; report of disqualified recipients; and cumulative totals for the fiscal year. Audits: Projects are subject to audit by Office of Inspector General, USDA. |