The Department of Human Services (DHS) today announced that it received a $501,701 High Performance Bonus” from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for improving access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known more commonly as food stamps.
Rhode Island was noted with having one of the most improved Program Access Index (PAI), which measures the ratio of participants to the number of people below 125 percent of the poverty level.
State Health and Human Services Secretary Gary Alexander said, This grant underscores the commitment Rhode Island has made to eradicate hunger and to provide proper nutrition to the many Rhode Islanders in need today. I would like to credit the staff at DHS and our community partners, including the Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free America at URI, the CAP agencies, and food banks, for their continued efforts to improve access to SNAP. It is because of their efforts that our most vulnerable population are served, especially in this challenging economy.
The State plans to utilize the funds from this excellence award to continue to improve technology and access. There are approximately 149,000 recipients receiving SNAP in Rhode Island.