Note: Photo of today's event is shown below.
October 8, 2008
Contact: Hank Hudson, Administrator, Human and Community Services Division, 406-444-5901
Jon Ebelt, Public Information Officer, DPHHS, 406-444-0936
SNAP Receives $240,000 Bonus Award
Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Joan Miles accepted a $238,990 bonus award today on behalf of the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as the Food Stamp Program.
The presentation was held at 111 North Sanders in the DPHHS Sanders Building auditorium in Helena.
USDA regional administrator Darlene Barnes was on hand to present the award that acknowledges that state’s timeliness in processing SNAP applications.
Montana is one of only six states to share $6 million in bonus awards from USDA under this category for fiscal year 2007. The other states are Massachusetts, West Virginia, Missouri, North Carolina and Louisiana.
Miles said the award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of staff in the Human and Community Services Division of DPHHS, especially in the department’s various public assistance offices across the state. “The importance of processing applications quickly and accurately cannot be overstated,” Miles said. “Our clients deserve a timely response and I’m proud to say our staff is providing excellent service.”
Miles mentioned the money will be go right back into the program. “This bonus award will be used to support the SNAP mission of alleviating hunger in Montana,” she said.
This is not the first time the state has been honored by USDA with a bonus award. In 2006, Montana received a check for $1.8 million in both accuracy and timeliness categories in providing SNAP to low-income Montanans.
Currently, about 80,000 Montanans benefit from SNAP every month. In state fiscal year 2007, DPHHS issued nearly $100 million dollars in benefits.
The Food Stamp Program’s name was changed to SNAP effective Oct. 1, 2008 as a result of the 2008 Farm Bill. “The new name more accurately reflects the program’s mission to provide food assistance and nutrition education to assist participants as they move to a healthier lifestyle,” said Human and Community Services administrator Hank Hudson.
Also, several years ago the program started using Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, similar to credit cards, not stamps or coupons, Hudson mentioned.
While the new name might cause some initial confusion, Hudson does want to remind state residents that the central theme of the program remains the same. “For Montanans who are struggling to make ends meet in difficult economic times, this program is here to help,” Hudson said.
SNAP is USDA’s largest domestic nutrition assistance program serving more than 28 million individuals across the nation each month.
For more information call Hudson at 406-444-5901 or visit the DPHHS Web site at www.dphhs.mt.gov.
Director Joan Miles and Human and Community Services Division administrator Hank Hudson pose for a photo Wednesday, October 8, 2008 with USDA representatives and HCSD SNAP Unit staff during Wednesday's check presentation at the Sanders Building in Helena. SNAP received a $240,000 bonus award from USDA for processing SNAP applications in a timely fashion. Also pictured is SNAP manager Deb Christiansen, right.
