The USDA Disaster Response. Food Research & Action Center Webinar July 10, 2012

Transcription

1 The USDA Disaster Response Food Research & Action Center Webinar July 10, 2012

2 Agenda Introduction & Welcome Ellen Vollinger & Thomas Furstenberg-Carroll, FRAC USDA Disaster Response Overview Cora Russell, FNS Office of Emergency Management USDA Foods in Disasters Mike Buckley, Food Distribution Division Disaster SNAP Mary Rose Conroy, SNAP Program Development Division EBT & Retailer Waivers Carolyn Shelby, SNAP Benefit Redemption Division Questions & Answers

3 Introduction SNAP is the cornerstone of the nation s nutrition safety net. SNAP and many other programs administered by USDA s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) respond effectively to changes in need, whether those are caused by economic downturns or by disasters. FRAC s Disaster Resources:

4 Introduction This webinar will provide an overview of FNS s disaster response, from making emergency foods available in the immediate days after a disaster, to getting D-SNAP benefits to disaster survivors in the weeks that follow. USDA FNS representatives will highlight lessons from the agency s newly updated Disaster SNAP Guidance, including information on how FNS and states implement D-SNAP for persons not getting SNAP and replace benefits for disaster survivors already participating in SNAP.

5 Introduction The role the programs play in assisting in disaster recovery is an important one. In response to 2011 storms, USDA s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) provided important nutrition relief, including Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) benefits to more than 1.1 million persons. FRAC is in the midst of updating the FRAC Advocate s Guide to D- SNAP. USDA FNS has recently completed an update of its D-SNAP policy guidance. SNAP_Handbook.pdf

6 Types of FNS Disaster Assistance USDA Foods Congregate feeding Household distribution in special circumstances Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) Authority for flexible response 6

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8 Multi-Agency Feeding Plan State Private

9 USDA Foods in Disasters Two types of enabling authorities for USDA Foods used in disaster feeding: 1) A Presidentially declared disaster or emergency, can provide Federal assistance to State and local governments as well as individuals (Stafford Act and CFR ). 2) A Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) declared situation of distress, CFR Any other situation not declared by the President to be a disaster, but which, in the judgment of FNS warrants the use of USDA Foods for congregate feeding or household distribution.

10 USDA Foods in Disasters Sources of USDA Foods Used in Disaster Feeding: Child Nutrition Programs (school lunch, child & adult care, summer feeding). The Emergency Food Assistance Program Commodity Supplemental Food Program Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

11 USDA Foods in Disasters Voluntary Organizations send request for USDA Foods to State State approves (congregate) FNS approves (HH feeding) USDA Foods taken from: Local Inventories State Inventories Local sites provide food Federal (Household Pgm.) Inventories USDA Diversions & Purchases

12 USDA Foods in Disasters Congregate vs. Household Distribution of USDA Foods: Congregate Feeding usually takes place in: Shelter locations, such as schools, churches, and community centers; Mobile kitchens; and Soup kitchens Household Distribution can be allowed when: Commercial channels of food distribution are disrupted and it is impractical to use SNAP benefits; and Justification can be provided, such as the need for food assistance in remote or isolated communities

13 USDA Foods in Disasters Only FNS Can Approve Household Distribution: Only FNS may authorize household distribution of USDA Foods for disaster feeding Food Banks must first obtain approval from FNS through the State Distributing Agency FNS has no authority to reimburse Food Banks for administrative expenses associated with disaster feeding. Without prior approval, FNS cannot reimburse food banks for TEFAP foods used

14 USDA Foods in Disasters Food Distribution Programs Disaster Website

15 Disaster SNAP Overview D-SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program with temporary eligibility standards to serve disaster survivors. Through D-SNAP, FNS is able to quickly offer shortterm food assistance to families suffering in the wake of a disaster. Eligible households receive one month of benefits issued via an EBT card, which can be used to purchase food at most grocery stores.

16 D-SNAP Authority & Approval FNS approves D-SNAP operations in an affected area under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act when the area has received a Presidential disaster declaration of Individual Assistance. State agencies request FNS approval to operate a D-SNAP within the disaster area. FNS approves program operations for a limited period of time (typically 7 days).

17 D-SNAP Approval & Implementation Process Disaster strikes Disaster Declaration with Individual Assistance State requests to operate D-SNAP FNS approves D-SNAP State begins D-SNAP Operations

18 D-SNAP Eligibility Households not normally eligible for SNAP may qualify for D-SNAP as a result of their disaster-related expenses Ongoing SNAP households affected by the disaster may be eligible for supplemental benefits. SNAP Households Sign affidavit requesting replacements and/or supplements (unless issued automatically) D-SNAP Applicants Complete D-SNAP application Must apply in person Do not need to apply in person No interview required Must complete D- SNAP interview

19 D-SNAP Planning SNAP regulations require State agencies to create and maintain updated disaster plans. Plans must include roles and responsibilities, disaster preparations, and D-SNAP implementation procedures. Updated plans are due to FNS Regional Offices on August 15 th of each year. States use the procedures outlined in their plans to draft their D-SNAP requests and structure the administration of their respective programs.

20 D-SNAP & Partner Organizations Partner organizations can aid D-SNAP efforts on-site and through outreach. Volunteers at D-SNAP sites can serve as translators, greeters, application assistants, and pre-screeners. Sharing timely, accurate information about D- SNAP is also an important role of partners. Each D-SNAP is unique so it s important to verify the details of each with the State agency before disseminating information with your networks.

21 EBT & Retailer Waivers The National Office SNAP, Benefit Redemption Division approves 7 EBT/Retailer related disaster waivers. Two of these waivers require a Presidential declaration for individual assistance. States would work with their FNS Regional Office SNAP staff when preparing the waivers. The FNS Regional Office SNAP staff will forward the waiver request to BRD for review.

22 EBT & Retailer Waivers The following 3 waivers are the most commonly requested: Hot Foods requires a Presidential declaration for individual assistance. Waives the mandate in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 that hot foods cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits. Can be granted on a statewide or county by county basis.

23 EBT & Retailer Waivers Mass Replacement allows a State agency to replace a portion/percentage of currently certified households monthly SNAP allotment without the requirement that the household request a replacement, individually, and go to a local office to sign an affidavit of loss. The replacement amount is not fixed and generally depends on the time of month the disaster took place, the State s issuance schedule, and the type of disaster.

24 EBT & Retailer Waivers Timely Reporting Allows a State agency to extend the amount of time households have to report the loss of food purchased with SNAP benefits, beyond the 10 days required in Regulations. Household misfortunes such as mass power outages and floods would qualify under this waiver. State agencies need to provide estimates for the number of SNAP households that may request replacement benefits and the total expected dollar amount of those replacements at the time of the waiver request.

25 EBT & Retailer Waivers Other Waivers Expungement of Disaster Benefits Requires a Presidential declaration for individual assistance. Allows disaster benefits to be expunged from a household s account after a period of less than one year, usually after each benefit has reached the age of 90 days. Card Not Present During Key-Entered Transactions Relaxes the requirement that an EBT card be present during a key-entered SNAP transaction.

26 EBT & Retailer Waivers Early Issuance Allows a State agency to issue monthly benefits early, on a county or state basis. Stand-in Process Allows FNS to accept liability, up to a certain floor limit, per transaction, per retailer, per day, per client. If the client has insufficient funds to cover their transaction, FNS will reimburse the store up to the designated dollar amount once the store obtains authorization. This is an extremely rare waiver and will only be approved in cases of extreme devastation when power and telephones are non-operational for a significant amount of time.

27 Contact Information Cora Russell, Office of Emergency Management Mike Buckley, Food Distribution Division Mary Rose Conroy, SNAP Program Development Division Carolyn Shelby, SNAP Benefit Redemption Division

28 Questions? For more information visit: