Program Descriptions
Program Number
10.566
Title
Nutrition Assistance For Puerto Rico
Federal Agency
FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Authorization
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, as amended, Title 1, Section 116; Public Law 97-35; Public Law 97-253; Public Law 98-204; Public Law 99-114; Public Law 99-157; Public Law 99-182; Public Law 99-198; Public Law 101- 624; Public Law 103-66; Public Law 104-127; Public Law 106-387; Public Law 107-171.
Status
Active
Objectives
A cash grant alternative to the Special Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (Formally known as the Food Stamp Program) to improve diets of needy persons residing in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Types of Assistance
Direct Payments for Specified Use.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Households receive money to purchase food.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico alone is eligible.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Low-income individuals and families are eligible for benefits as determined by the Commonwealth.
Credentials/Documentation
The Commonwealth is required to document the classes of households that receive benefits and the level of those benefits. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in the Commonwealth for more information on the process the Commonwealth requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102.
Application Procedure
The Commonwealth is required to submit an annual plan of operation to the Food and Nutrition Service for approval. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedure
The Secretary of Agriculture designates the Commonwealth agency or agencies to operate the program upon submission of the request.
Deadlines
July 1 for plan submission.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
None.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The Department of Agriculture pays 100 percent of the cost of benefits and 50 percent of administrative costs.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Assistance is available for one fiscal year at a time. Assistance is provided through the electronic transfer system, consistent with Treasury Fiscal Requirement Manual, Volume I, Part 6, Section 2030.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
The content and frequency of reports is specified by the Commonwealth's plan of operation.
Audits
The Commonwealth is required to conduct an audit of expenditures at least once every two years, and is subject to audit by the Office of Inspector General, USDA. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of State and Local Governments," State and local governments, that expend 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.
Records
The content and maintenance of records is specified by the Commonwealth's plan of operation.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-3505-0-1-605.
Obligations
(Formula Grants) FY 07 $1,551,167,000; FY 08 $1,622,521,000; and FY 09 $1,677, 686,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable; program is available to Puerto Rico only.
Program Accomplishments
Not available at this time.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
7 CFR 285.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Regional Administrator, Mid-Atlantic Regional Office, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, Robbinsville, NJ 08691-1598. Contact: Yvette Jackson. Telephone: (609) 259-5025, FTS: (609) 259-5025.
Headquarters Office
Associate Administrator, Special Nutrition Assistance Program, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA 22302. Contact: Jessica Shahin, Acting Associate Administrator, Special Nutrition Assistance Program. Telephone: (703) 305-2026.
Web Site Address
http://www.fns.usda.gov
Related Programs
10.551, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Examples of Funded Projects
None.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
None.
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