Opportunities to leverage technology and modernization to improve and streamline the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) were the focus of a subcommittee hearing convened by U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) last week.
Thompson, the chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, held the hearing as part of the subcommittee’s ongoing two-year review of SNAP leading up to crafting the next farm bill.
“First, this program touches more than 42 million Americans each month — it is the largest domestic hunger safety net program in the country,” Thompson said. “So, we have a responsibility to ensure we evaluate how this anti-poverty program is serving those it intends to help. Second, we need to get the policy right. As we approach the upcoming farm bill it is critical we understand opportunities to amend and improve the program to properly account for the changes that come with our evolving, technological world.”
U.S. Rep. Michael Conaway (R-TX), the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, agreed that “getting the policy right” for the SNAP program needs to be the focus of lawmakers.
“As we craft the next farm bill, enhancements in technology and modernization of SNAP will be important to improving the efficiency and efficacy of the program to best serve our nation’s most vulnerable citizens,” Conaway said.
Thursday’s hearing explored systems used by SNAP state agencies to determine program eligibility and to issue benefits. When it comes to issuance, Thompson said, the switch to Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) in 2004 marked a major step forward in improving program integrity, efficiency and customer service.
Before issuing benefits, state agencies must determine whether households qualify for the SNAP program based on eligibility and income requirements mandated by Congress, which are tied to the federal poverty level, Thompson said. Many states also rely on integrated eligibility systems that determine eligibility for SNAP along with other benefits programs, such as Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
States are also working to improve the experience for SNAP households through enhanced business processes and new customer-facing technology, Thompson added.
“These and other technology initiatives, combined with data-driven business process improvements, can enhance administrative efficiency at the state level while making the process of applying for SNAP benefits more streamlined for households in need,” Thompson said.