USDA-FNS1 offers new grant application process starting Feb. 24

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USDA-FNS1 offers new grant application process starting Feb. 24

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service is offering a grant open from Feb. 24 to April 25.

The grant could provide up to $750,000.

The purpose of the SNAP Fraud Framework Implementation Grant Program is to support State agency efforts to improve and expand recipient fraud prevention, detection and investigation efforts using the procedures, ideas and practices outlined in the SNAP Fraud Framework. Successful applications will specifically incorporate one or more of these procedures, ideas and practices in their proposals. This grant opportunity is not intended to support retailer fraud-related projects.Section 29(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2036) authorizes FNS to provide grants on a competitive basis to State agencies to strengthen program integrity activities in SNAP. Up to $5 million has been appropriated in Fiscal Year 2022 for State agencies to implement practices described in the SNAP Fraud Framework.Applicants should identify projects that best fit the needs of the State and that the State can successfully implement. Additionally, we encourage applicants to consider foundational projects that the State agency can build on for future growth in the fraud control area, such as data quality improvement, strategic planning, or the development of a training program.The SNAP Fraud Framework is a collection of procedures, innovative ideas, and promising practices to help State agencies improve fraud prevention, detection and investigation techniques and processes. This framework and its supporting documents are designed to support States as they develop new efforts or improve on existing ones to prevent, detect, and investigate fraud. There is no simple solution to combat fraud and each State may require a different approach to improve program integrity. The SNAP Fraud Framework acknowledges the need for State flexibility by offering a menu of options for States to implement as they work to improve program operations and efforts.The SNAP Fraud Framework is intended to share best practices with personnel directly administering and enforcing the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. It includes sensitive fraud detection and investigative techniques and therefore has not been shared beyond FNS and SNAP State agencies, the only eligible applicants for this grant opportunity. State agencies that do not have access to the SNAP Fraud Framework should contact their FNS Regional Office.