USDA: States struggle to administer food stamps

WASHINGTON — With more Americans going hungry than ever before, the Agriculture Department is concerned that dozens of states aren't adequately administering food stamp programs designed to provide food to low-income Americans.

Several states have run the program in a way that is "problematic and resulted in a more complex and difficult enrollment process," the department said in a letter to state administrators dated Nov. 20 and obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press. The letter, signed by Kevin Concannon, the department's undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, says practices in those states "have not served our clients or our taxpayers well."

The letter comes as the department released an annual report on food stamp enrollment and eligibility showing that just 18 states enrolled 70 percent or more of those eligible for food stamps in 2007, the time period covered by the report. Dozens of states failed to reach some of the country's most needy citizens, the report stated.

Food stamp programs "are essential to good nutrition and well-being, especially in tough economic times," Concannon said in a statement commenting on the report.

Two states – Wyoming and California – had fewer than 50 percent of those eligible enrolled to receive food stamps. Many of the states that struggled were among the most populous, including New York, where 61 percent of eligible citizens participated; Florida, where 57 percent participated; and Texas, where 55 percent were enrolled.

The most successful state was Missouri, where nearly 100 percent of those eligible received government aid. Maine, Michigan, Tennessee and Oregon also had participation rates of 87 percent or higher.

Still, the department's letter was a sharp rejoinder to states with high numbers of eligible citizens and low participation rates. It specifically criticized states where private firms, rather than state workers, processed enrollment.

"We believe that the outsourcing of key ... processing duties to for-profit organizations is an unwise use of state and federal resources that undermines program accountability," Concannon wrote.

For-profit enterprises haven't been able to process food stamp applications or recertifications quickly enough, Concannon said in the letter, in part because dividing responsibilities between the state and the enterprises complicated the process for applicants. As a result, many of those eligible are not receiving food stamps.

Concannon suggests that states consider other options, such as tapping nonprofit organizations that can provide assistance to potential applicants and improving the use of technology such as call-centers, online applications and electronic case filing systems.

The report came amid growing evidence that the economic slowdown has left more Americans hungry. Last week, the department's annual report on food insecurity showed that in 2008 a higher percentage of Americans than ever went hungry or struggled to put food on the table.

Comments

[tompoe]

To use the term, struggle, is an offense to Americans. To those states that outsource to for-profit companies I can only say, criminals. Every one of them. The states have an obligation to spend taxpayer dollars efficiently, and dumping taxpayer dollars into someone's profit pocket is outrageous.

[poster]

The effectiveness of the program should be measured by the number of hungry souls, not by the percentage enrollment of those eligible.

[ThinkingMansPeanut]

"We believe that the outsourcing of key ... processing duties to for-profit organizations is an unwise use of state and federal resources that undermines program accountability," Concannon wrote.

In Florida - the starving (and other 'under-served' citizens) can thank Jeb Bush for 'out-sourcing' - aka Financially Helping Out The Friends Of Jeb, Through Contracts That Rip Off The Residents Of Florida - Who Are Apparently Big Dummies & Willing To Serve 'The Master':

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/state/epaper/2009/04/16/a1a_foodstamps0417.html

When the Re-Fug-Li-Cans are in charge, you-all can expect to be Fug-ed and Re-Fug-ed...

[coveark]

No federal programs should be outsourced to for profit administration.

Why? because the people hired by social welfare or whatever it is called in each state has specific training and levels etc. to pass to be eligible to work these programs. It has to be more efficient for state government to hire the needed amount of workers than to hire it out to untrained companies which are profiting from a program designed to help the poor.

This does not serve the taxpayer as noted or the eligible recipients.

This helps to create another quagmire where private companies are paid to do work for which certain sums have already been allocated. Not good.

[booki]

Perhaps a better idea:: Combat the reasons..why food stamps are given out .

[user]

One big problem with foodstamps is that a lot of the eligible are either ashamed or too proud to participate. Its sad that people who could get an easier ride struggle without. That's before you get to the attitude thing you get from authorities.