Assessment of Alternatives to Face-to-Face Interviews in SNAP

Grant Application

The purpose of this grant is for State agencies to participate in an assessment of the impact of waiving the face-to-face interview for SNAP benefits on program outcomes. Participating states will implement demonstration projects in which the interview for SNAP benefits is waived. The states will work with a FNS evaluation contractor who will evaluate whether and to what extent the absence of client interviews affects participation, efficiency, access, payment accuracy, administrative costs, customer access, and staff and client satisfaction. The results of this study will provide FNS with guidance as they develop guidelines to help states further improve program operating efficiency and access.

Clarification Questions

The 2011 Assessment of Alternatives to Face-To-Face Interviews in SNAP RFA talks about pilot sites waiving the interview for all clients at both certification and recertification. Oregon would like to know if this project can be limited to all clients submitting recertifications only or does it need to be all clients at both certification and recertification?

A primary objective of FNS is to determine the impact, if any, of waiving the interview at certification on program outcomes. Therefore, all demonstrations must waive the interview at certification. Waiving the interview at recertification is optional, but it must not be the only point at which the interview is waived.

The Grant announcement talks about having a pilot site and a comparison site. Would the pilot site eliminate the interview for all certifications or just for certain types of certifications (such as elderly/disabled, cases with no earned income, etc.)?

FNS is interested in determining the impact of waiving the face-to-face interview for SNAP applicants of all subgroups; therefore, we require that the demonstration sites waive the face-to-face interview entirely for all applicants. However, if an applicant requests a face-to-face interview it must be granted and documented accordingly.

Would our Grant application need to specify how we get the information we normally cover in the interview to the customer?

Yes, it is important to show in your proposal that you have the infrastructure or have at least thought about how you will conduct a proper screening of the applicants and collect the necessary information to make an accurate determination without conducting the face-to-face interview.

Page 10 of the RFA says Grant funds can be used to offset the costs associated with participation. Could some of the grant money be used for system changes (such as reprogramming a confirmation letter a customer receives after applying for Food Stamps letting them know to call in for an interview)? Will some of the money cover travel associated with the grant? Are there specific reporting requirements so that the grant would pay for staff time for those staff involved in the process?

Grant funds can be used to cover any expense associated with the project, i.e. project staff, travel, and systems reconfiguration. All expenditures should be limited to the project only. For example, expenditures for reprogramming a confirmation letter to customers should be limited to the demonstration site.

Timeline

Critical Dates for Assessment of Alternatives to Face-to-Face Interviews in SNAP Grant Application:

Who May Apply

State agencies that administer the SNAP may apply.

Funding and Duration

Up to $450,000 is anticipated in Fiscal Year 2012 for states to implement demonstration projects in which the face-to-face interview for SNAP benefits is waived. Three states will be selected through a competitive process for the period of September 2011- October 2013. Up to $170,000 may be requested per State agency.

Funding for approved Assessment of Alternatives to Face-to-Face Interviews in SNAP will be provided through the Grant Award/Letter of Credit process, in the same manner as other Federal funds, upon receipt of a properly executed Federal-State Assessment of Alternatives to Face-to-Face Interviews in SNAP Grant Agreement and subject to availability of funding.

Application Due Date

The completed application package must be uploaded on Grants.gov at or before 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on August 5, 2011.

Submission of Application

FNS will not accept applications sent via U.S. Mail, e-mail, or fax.

1. Submit application by www.grants.gov. Grants.gov is a government-wide web site designed for electronic submission of applications/proposals. We advise that you allow ample time to familiarize yourself with the system's requirements. You will need both a Data Universal Number (DUNS) and a Contract Registry Number (CCR) to access the system. You can contact Dun and Bradstreet at 1-800-234-3867 to obtain a DUNS number if you do not have one already.

Please be aware that the Grants.gov system provides several confirmation notices; you need to be sure that you have confirmation that the application was accepted.

2. Late applications will not be considered in this competition. We will not consider additions or revisions to applications once they are received.

All questions regarding the application should be referred to Carla Garcia via e-mail at carla.garcia@fns.usda.gov.

• Invitation to Apply

• Request for Applications

Application for Federal Assistance

• SF-424 (R&R)

• Assurance for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424b)

• R&R FedNonFed Budget - Provide a budget for each funding year requested along with a budget summary

• R&R Sub-award Budget Attachment(s) Form - If applicable attach the proposed sub-award budget as a PDF document for each funding year with a budget summary.

• Project/Performance Site Locations(s)

• Research & Related Senior/Key Personnel - attach résumé or curriculum vitae of key personnel.

• Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) - Not required, use when needed.

• HHS Checklist (08-2007) - E.O. 12372, only applicable to participating states.

Last modified: 03/08/2012