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Presentation by Ellen Vollinger Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) December 16, 2010

EBT. A Place at the Table Webinar Hosted by National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and National Coalition for the Homeless. Presentation by Ellen Vollinger Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) December 16, 2010. Federal Nutrition Safety Net. SNAP/Food Stamps

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Presentation by Ellen Vollinger Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) December 16, 2010

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  1. EBT A Place at the Table WebinarHosted by National Law Center on Homelessness & Povertyand National Coalition for the Homeless Presentation by Ellen Vollinger Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) December 16, 2010

  2. Federal Nutrition Safety Net SNAP/Food Stamps School Breakfast and School Lunch Preschool and Afterschool Meals and Snacks Summer Nutrition WIC TEFAP Seehttp://frac.org/federal-foodnutrition-programs/

  3. State and Local Officials Partner on Federal Nutrition Safety Net NCSL http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=16338 APHSA http://foodstamp.aphsa.org/ NLC http://www.nlc.org/IYEF/fes/working_families/index.aspx USCM http://www.usmayors.org/pressreleases/uploads/SodexoUSCMPressReleaseFINAL113010.pdf

  4. EBT SNAP/Food Stamps Eligibility Fixed address not needed Identity and Verification Institutional Context State Option for Homelessness Shelter Expense Deduction See http://www.wtls.org/images/Food_Stamp_Images/SNAP%20Homeless%20Eng.pdf

  5. SNAP Outreach to Homeless Persons http://www.wtls.org/images/Food_Stamp_Images/SNAP%20Homeless%20Eng.pdf

  6. Funding SNAP Outreach Competitive Grants and 50/50 Reimbursement Funds FRAC’s SNAP Outreach and Access Toolkit: http://frac.org/snapfood-stamps-outreach-and-access-toolkit/

  7. SNAP/Food Stamps Help Community Each $1 in federal SNAP/Food Stamps benefits generates $1.79 in economic activity. Homeless persons can use SNAP EBT cards to purchase food from most grocery retailers, many farmers’ markets, and some restaurants.

  8. EBT SNAP/Food Stamps Restaurant Meal Program SNAP/Food Stamps Restaurant Meal Program (RMP) allows homeless persons, persons aged 60 and above, and persons with disabilities to use their SNAP/Food Stamps benefits to purchase hot, prepared meals at participating restaurants. Former FRAC Hunger Fellow Danny Burke has researched rules, model practices, and strategies for utilizing RMP for a forthcoming FRAC report. These slides draw from that research.

  9. EBT Background on Restaurant Meal Program The Food Stamp Act has long recognized that certain populations lack access to cooking facilities. In 1990 the Act added homeless people to the categories that could use their Food Stamps (now SNAP) to buy prepared meals at for-profit restaurants. Nonetheless, RMP is only operating in a handful of states and represents a miniscule percentage SNAP/Food Stamps redemptions. In early 2010, RMP was operating in CA, AZ, MI.

  10. Getting Restaurants into RMP State agencies have option to run RMP. If so, state notifies USDA and drafts an MOU with restaurant which completes application. Restaurants cannot charge sales tax on RMP meals and must offer RMP customers “low-cost” meals.

  11. EBT Identifying RMP Clients at POS Recent technology solution, where adopted, obviates need for extra ID. Automated Eligibility Indicator (AEI), operated by J.P. Morgan Chase and Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), determines if client is RMP eligible when his/her EBT card is swiped. AEI relies on SNAP/Food Stamps eligibility process information (caseworker should collect info on RMP eligibility in application; otherwise client later contacts caseworker asking to get EBT card coded properly).

  12. Lessons Learned for RMP Let states, restaurants, clients and advocates know about RPM. Get sufficient restaurant participation, especially before launch. Consider revising RMP application to make more user friendly to restaurants. Give hands-on guidance to restaurants. Offer specific signage. EBT

  13. Opportunities RMP Brings Additional redemption options for clients to obtain meals Increasing number and type of stakeholders in support of SNAP/Food Stamps, especially for homeless population Alternatives to Food Sharing Restrictions Increasing SNAP/Food Stamps participation by vulnerable populations and generating local economic activity EBT

  14. More RPM Info and Coverage http://www.ladpss.org/dpss/restaurant_meals/RMP_FAQ.cfm http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/02/17/am-ebt/ Watch for forthcoming FRAC report on RMP For assistance in reaching out on RMP, cnntact evollinger@frac.org

  15. School Meals for Homeless and Runaway Students McKinney-Vento Act requires every school district to designate a local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youth. Liaisons ensure children receive educational and other services for which they are eligible, including free school meals. Local educational agency liaisons, homeless or domestic violence shelter directors and RHYA service providers may provide documentation that children are homeless or runaway to school food service directors or other officials who determine school meal eligibility. http://frac.org/eligibility-for-homeless-runaway-and-migrant-children/

  16. School Meals for Full School Year A student certified as eligible for free meals, based on designation as homeless, runaway or migrant by a local educational agency liaison, homeless or domestic violence shelter director, RHYA service provider or MEP coordinator, remains eligible for the remainder of the school year and up to 30 days into the next school year. This policy holds even if children or youth move into permanent housing and are no longer homeless, migrant, or served by RHYA programs. http://frac.org/eligibility-for-homeless-runaway-and-migrant-children/

  17. Homeless Children Receive Free School Meals Homeless children are “categorically eligible” for free school meals--they do not have to complete a paper application. Under McKinney-Vento Act, a “homeless” child for school meals purposes is one “lacking an adequate regular nighttime residence.” E.g., children in families sharing housing with other families; living in motels or campgrounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations; living in emergency or transitional shelters; awaiting foster care placement; living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings

  18. Practices and Resources Re: School Meals States should assure school districts adopt the following practices: •Connect and build communication between school nutrition program and homeless education program. •Establish clear procedures for teachers to report on children’s status, Teachers and all staff should know definition of “homeless” and how to inform appropriate coordinator •Encourage households that take in homeless families to submit a school meal application for themselves, as increased household size may make them newly eligible for free or reduced-price meals www.frac.org/html/federal_food_programs/cnreauthor/migrant.htm

  19. CACFP Help Shelters Feed Children Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) can be source of funds for homeless shelters to feed children. Homeless and domestic violence shelters can receive reimbursements for up to three meals (or two meals and a snack) each day for children up to age 18. Through CACFP, shelters could receive up to $2,200 per child per year. CACFP reimbursements are federally funded; no state match is needed.

  20. Help Shelters Draw Down CACFP Funds •Outreach and technical assistance. CACFP state agency can place articles in newsletters distributed to shelter providers, speak at meetings of shelter providers or send targeted mailings. •Make CACFP user-friendly for shelters. According to a USDA, states should review CACFP requirements to ensure they do not place unnecessary administrative burdens on already overworked shelter staff and volunteers. www.frac.org/html/federal_food_programs/programs/homeless/homeless_index.html www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/care/Regs-Policy/policymemo/2007-2009/CACFP_11-2007.pdf

  21. 2010 Child Nutrition Reauthorization (S. 3307) http://frac.org/highlights-healthy-hunger-free-kids-act-of-2010/ http://frac.org/child-nutrition-reauthorization-eight-facts-you-need-to-know-now/ https://frac.peachnewmedia.com/store/seminar/seminar.php?seminar=6772

  22. National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference • March 6-8, 2011 • Washington, DC • http://www.antihungerpolicyconference.org/

  23. Questions and Feedback Contact: Ellen Vollinger Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) 202-986-2200 x3016 evollinger@frac.org www.frac.org

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