The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is accepting applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Process and Technology Improvement Grants.
Donor Name: Food and Nutrition Service
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/15/2023
Size of the Grant: $2,000,000
Grant Duration: 3 years
Details:
The purpose of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Process and Technology Improvement Grants (PTIGs) is to support efforts by State agencies and their community-based and faith-based partners to develop and implement projects that use technology to improve the quality and efficiency of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application and eligibility determination systems. SNAP intends to award up to $5 million in grants to eligible entities, including State agencies administering the SNAP; State or local governments; agencies providing health or welfare services; public health or educational entities; or private nonprofit entities, such as community-based or faith-based organizations, food banks, or other emergency feeding organizations. Throughout this Request for Applications (RFA), the term “State agencies” refers to the agencies of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Guam that administer SNAP.
Objectives
Modernize SNAP customer service and client communication to improve accessibility, transparency, and responsiveness in processing applications and determining eligibility.
- Proposals will use technology-based tools to help improve the customer experience and access to SNAP. Proposals may include activities such as:
- Engaging in business process improvement efforts that identify technology needed to enhance the client experience;
- Creating or improving client self-service options, such as Question and Answer (Q&A) bots, updating personal information via a client portal, or tracking application status online;
- Reducing technology-based barriers to entry for persons with a disability or Limited English Proficiency; or
- Developing and/or enhancing mobile responsive websites, mobile applications, online applications, and online portals.
Improve administrative infrastructure and day-to-day SNAP operations in processing applications and determining eligibility
- Proposals will employ technology to maintain or improve service levels, ease administrative burden, and incorporate lessons learned about effective use of technology and new ways of working from the COVID-19 pandemic. Proposals may include activities such as:
- Establishing or enhancing telephonic interview and telephonic or electronic signature capabilities;
- Creating a policy bot that would allow eligibility workers to consult a SNAP policy database to facilitate the application process and eligibility determination;
- Enhancing eligibility systems and applications, such as using an Application Programming Interface (API) or other system integration or data sharing methods to eliminate duplicate entry or prepopulate eligibility systems from the online application;
- Improvement of call centers, such as increasing State call center capacity by adding phone lines, improving automated telephone systems like phone trees, or implementing Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology;
- Investing in or modernizing tools for Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) operations, such as online pre-registration capabilities, online ID verification via data matching and/or other State agencies and other available sources, and expedited EBT card issuance.
Invest in technology and systems to encourage cross collaboration and cross enrollment between SNAP and other Federal, State, and local assistance programs
- Proposals will improve access to benefits for eligible populations and improve State administration between programs, as allowable by program requirements. Proposals may include activities such as:
- Developing combined applications and partnerships across State operated assistance programs to increase client access and alignment between programs;
- Enhancing cross-program enrollment through integrated mobile applications and online portals;
- Improving data sharing and verification between SNAP and other Federal, State, and local assistance programs within the State agency; or
- Creating a technology improvement plan to enhance or develop easy crossenrollment or administration between SNAP and other programs.
Funding Information
- Total amount of funding expected to award: $5,000,000
- Minimum award amount (award floor): $20,000
- Maximum award amount (award ceiling): $2,000,000
Period of Performance
September 1, 2023 through September 30, 2026
Eligible Applicants
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- State governments
- County governments
- Private institutions of higher education
Additional Information on Eligibility
The entities eligible to receive grants under this competition are the 53 State agencies that administer SNAP; State or local governments; Agencies providing health or welfare services; Public health or educational entities; and private non-profit entities such as community-based or faith-based organizations, food banks, or other emergency feeding organizations. Unless the applicant is a State agency submitting an application on its own, a letter of commitment or letter of endorsement from the relevant State SNAP agency must be included in the application package to be considered for funding. State agencies should have the necessary approvals of State officials (such as councils or legislatures) of funding prior to submitting the application. Applicants should also acknowledge in their application that all necessary approvals for funding have been obtained.State and local governments should have the necessary approvals of State officials (such as councils or legislatures) of funding prior to submitting the application. Applicants should also acknowledge in their application that all necessary approvals for funding have been obtained. Non-profit organizations are required to submit a copy of the IRS Determination Letter, form 501(c)(3) or proof of application for exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and a list of their Board of Directors, if applicable. All corporations, including nonprofit corporations are required to complete the attached representation regarding felony convictions and tax delinquency.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
