MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Food Assistance Program has received notification from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) that their application for a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participation Grant has been approved.
The $425,151 grant is aimed at supporting efforts to simplify the food assistance application and eligibility determination systems and create measures to improve access to food assistance benefits by eligible applicants.
“We will use these funds to enhance online interaction between our clients and their caseworkers,” stated DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner. “This will better serve our clients and also make our operation more efficient by saving caseworkers time by reducing the frequency of client phone calls and office visits.”
The online application allows Alabama citizens to apply for food assistance benefits via the internet from their home, a library, or any computer with access to the internet. The goal of the online application process is to provide easier access to the state’s food assistance program and improve services to potential recipients.
This is the second grant that the Department of Human Resources has been awarded by FNS to fund development and implementation of a statewide web-based application for potential food assistance recipients. In 2008, DHR was awarded a $600,000 grant that has been used to create the online food assistance application.
The food assistance program's purpose is to improve nutrition by providing monthly benefits to eligible low-income households to help them buy the food they need for good health. All states operate the food assistance program according to regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.