Note: please note that this issue overview should (a) contain links to additional information on this topic that is focused either the local, state, national, or global level, and (b) be neutrally presented, based on facts, and include footnotes for each of the items.  See the Research Guide and Information Sources to assist you. 

Goal Statement   one sentence that further defines the topic 

• Increase the number of qualified individuals and families who apply for and receive Food Stamps. 

Policy Options / Model Programs   specific policies or program models, grouped by type, that are profiled 

• Coordination of intake practices with community access initiatives

• Retention of eligible households' participation in SNAP at the point of recertification

• Combined Application Projects (CAP): Projects that partner the Social Security Administration, State Agencies, Food and Nutrition Service to simplify the food stamp application process for recipients of Supplementary Security Income who live alone.

• Specific approaches to address vulnerabilities by demographic:

  • Children: 

  • Immigrants:

  • Disabled:
  • Ex-Convicts:
  • Illiterate:

  • Elderly

    • SNAS New Jersey (Simplified Nutrition Assistance for Seniors): "The Simplified Nutritional Assistance for Seniors (SNAS) Program provides outreach to elderly residents receiving SSI benefits making it easier for those individuals to apply for food stamp benefits. ^[1] 

• Reform process for individuals applying for benefits

  • Benefit Bank (six states, including Ohio)

Local/State/National Information    additional information on this topic at the local, state, national, global level

• Food Stamp Utilization - USA

• Food Stamp Utilization - New Jersey

  • Food Stamp Utilization - Middlesex County, NJ 

• Food Stamp Utilization - Ohio

  • Food Stamp Utilization - Lorain, OH

Glossary of Terms   key words or phrases that the layperson needs to know to understand this issue 

• Countable Resources:

• Eligibility (for food stamps):

• FNS (Federal Nutrition Service):

• Food Stamp utilization: refers to the efficiency of food stamp programs in capturing those in need of food assistance and maximizing program benefits. Access to and benefits from food stamps can be impeded through a number of different problems from awareness, registration and procedural difficulties, difficulties in how food stamps are allocated, and the perceived benefit of food stamp resources.

• Food Security: 

• Food Stamps: 

• Household:

• Income (earned):

• Income (unearned):

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program):  SNAP helps low-income people and families buy the food they need for good health. You apply for benefits by completing a State application form. Benefits are provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM card and accepted at most grocery stores. Through nutrition education partners, SNAP helps clients learn to make healthy eating and active lifestyle choices.

• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

• Vulnerability:

Bibliography    

• "Household Food Security and Tradeoffs in the Food Budget of Food Stamp Program Participants"

• Best State Nutrition Aid Programs 9/30/09 — Each year, USDA awards a total of $12 million in performance bonuses to eight States with the best and most improved program access index. The program access index is the ratio of participants to the number of persons below 125 percent of poverty and reflects State performance in reaching those eligible for these important nutrition benefits. USDA also awards $6 million to six States with the highest rate of timely processed applications, an important indicator of customer service in administering the Program.