State rewards food program with rebate

By Adam Wilson | The Olympian • Published August 04, 2008

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The state's Basic Food Program received a $2.4 million rebate from the federal government last week, in recognition of the Department of Social and Health Services' accuracy in delivering the benefit to low-income families.

It's the fourth year the U.S. Department of Agriculture has given the state a bonus, totaling $11.4 million so far.

The bonuses go into the general fund, not back into the food stamp system, but they can benefit the agency indirectly, said Glenn Kuper of the Office of Financial Management. It can include the bonus in its next spending request.

"There's no special earmarking in particular for those dollars, but the department will present a decision package suggesting spending some of it. That's what they're planning to do this year," he said.

And the Legislature did beef up the food stamp program's staff by 28 positions this year. The new administrative workers will allow the program to take on families making more money.

The program now offers money for groceries to families making 130 percent or less of the federal poverty-level income.

Help to families

In October, the state will offer help to families making twice the poverty level, or up to $42,400 a year for a family of four. A family that size could qualify for $542 a month through the program, which uses a debit-card-style system to pay for purchases.

The eligibility change is expected to add 23,300 people to the program, said Glynnis Ashley, administrator for food-programs policy at the department.

But the financial burden for providing the food stamps falls on the federal government, she added.

"The benefits we provide clients are actually federal dollars we draw into Washington state," she said. "And it actually has an economic impact in the communities where food stamps are used."

The Basic Food Program generated $607 million in purchases in fiscal year 2007, according to the state. In June, there were 573,060 low-income residents using the program, including 236,600 children.

It's Washington's accuracy in delivering benefits, ensuring the right people receive the right amount of assistance, that won the bonus checks from the federal government. The state has a 97 percent accuracy rate.

The high accuracy ratings come from a number of policy changes, Ashley said, including simplifying what recipients have to report and analyzing errors to provide better staff training.

Nancy Montanez Johner, undersecretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, delivered a check for this year's bonus to state officials last week.

"One of our top priorities is to ensure that America's most vulnerable residents have access to a healthful diet," Montanez Johner said in a prepared statement. "This achievement indicates continued focus on customer service and providing Washington's residents critical nutrition assistance."

Adam Wilson covers state workers and politics for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-753-1688 or awilson@theolympian.com.