Health and Family Services Cabinet
State’s Food Assistance Program Gets $1.5 Million Bonus for Excellent Customer Service; Kentucky gets federal award for timely assistance

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 11, 2010) – Federal officials last week announced that Kentucky’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, has won $1.5 million in federal bonus funds for its exemplary service delivery to service applicants.

Kentucky received the award from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service for “best application processing timeliness” for SNAP. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) Department for Community Based Services administers SNAP at its local offices in every county.

CHFS Secretary Janie Miller said she is proud of the staff working to enroll Kentuckians in SNAP.

“Our staff has demonstrated a true commitment to delivering the nutrition services provided by the federal government,” Miller said. “Without food assistance, many of our clients would have trouble providing healthy meals for their families.” 

Kentucky was among the top six states with the highest percentage of timely processed SNAP applications during fiscal year 2009 with an application timeliness rate of 96.14 percent.

The other five states sharing $6 million in bonus funds are the District of Columbia, West Virginia, Massachusetts, South Dakota and Louisiana.

The USDA administers SNAP nationally and sets a 30-day standard for state agencies to process applications.

DCBS Commissioner Patricia R. Wilson said figures show that Kentucky has exceeded a federal standard for target participation rates in the program every year since the guidelines were implemented. Monetary awards are used to strengthen the program.

“Our eligibility staff is well trained to assist customers and handle their concerns,” Wilson said. “Because of DCBS employees’ efficient service, our clients have a broader gateway to nutrition and wellness.”

Wilson also acknowledged the CHFS Office of Administrative and Technology Services staff.

“Without their systems support, our field staff could not consistently achieve this high processing rate,” she said.

To learn more about the SNAP, including how to apply, visit http://chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dfs/foodstampsebt.

– 30 –