The Plan to End Childhood Hunger

Help families meet needs at home with food stamps

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), still called food stamps in Washington, DC) is one of the best ways to lift very low-income people out of poverty and help parents put food on the table. The federal economic recovery package includes billions of dollars to increase SNAP/food stamp benefit levels for millions of struggling households and stimulate local economies by helping families buy more food at local grocery stores.

Food stamps are an important source of income and nutrition support for tens of thousands of low-income District families. Nearly half of District food stamp recipients are children 18 or younger. The Partnership continues to work to make sure that every family is benefiting from food stamps and the enhancements in the federal economic recovery package.

According to FRAC’s Urban Food Stamp Report (pdf), 83 percent of eligible District families receive food stamp benefits, the fourth best participation rate in the country. Even so, 57 percent of D.C.’s low-income working families do not use food stamps, even though they qualify.

With D.C. Hunger Solutions in the lead, the Partnership has been helping reach more people with information about food stamp eligibility and benefits. As we move forward, we will help connect all eligible families to food stamps by supporting policies that increase access and benefit amounts. And we will work hard to make sure the District fully utilizes the food stamp provisions of the economic recovery package.

Since 2006 we have:

• Worked with the D.C. Council on the March 2009 Food Stamp Expansion Act that will expand food stamp access and increase benefit levels for the growing number of struggling families.
• Launched food stamp outreach in partnership with the D.C. Earned Income Tax Credit ) EITC) Campaign in tax season 2008, thereby connecting families to two key economic supports.
• Developed a comprehensive, user-friendly guide—available in Spanish and English— for families on the food stamp application process.
• Partnered with the Income Maintenance Administration (the state Food Stamp agency) to spread the word about a promising new policy that extends many families’ eligibility from 6 to 12 months, making access easier and more convenient, and helping families stay active in the program for a longer time.
• Continued supporting the Income Maintenance Administration to seek policy improvements to improve the administration of the Food Stamp Program.
• Helped hundreds of low-income families access food stamp benefits.

2009-2010 Goals

The District’s Food Stamp Program will adopt policies that result in increased access and higher benefit levels for families, helping more families put more food on their tables.

2009-2010 Action Plan

• Ensure that the District uses the SNAP funds included in the economic recovery package to our families’ fullest advantage.
• Encourage the District to implement policy options that increase access and benefit levels for families participating in the Food Stamp Program.
• Partner with the District government to develop an online food stamp application that also connects applicants to other public benefits.
• Offer training for non-profits, faith-based groups, and social service providers on how to best spread the word about food stamps and application assistance.
• Provide help – both in person, on-line, and over the phone --. to low-income households applying or recertifying for food stamps.
• Survey food stamp participants to gauge customer satisfaction with the process and develop ways to improve it.
• Support the District’s new phone interview option for food stamp applicants.
• Work with employers of the District’s low-wage workers to enroll more families.
• Continue partnering with the Capital Area Asset Builders’ Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign to reach more families and help them apply for food stamps.

Measures of Success

• Five percent increase in number of clients we prescreen and assist with SNAP applications.
• Increase the percentage of low-income working families participating in the program.
• Adopt three policy changes as a result of the Partnership’s advocacy efforts.
• Increase the participation rate in the District’s Food Stamp Program.
• Increase the percent of low-income working families participating in the District’s Food Stamp Program.