U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Social Security Administration announced a collaboration to improve nutrition security should cut down on challenges families face when accessing important government assistance.
The collaboration through USDA's longtime Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as foodstamps, is intended to strengthen the department's partnership with the Social Security Administration, according to USDA's Dec. 8 news release. That partnership will help connect people to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and SNAP benefits without so much repetitive paperwork.
"USDA is dedicated to working collaboratively with our federal partners to improve access to our nutrition assistance programs," USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean said in the news release. "Allowing SSI applicants and recipients to apply for SNAP with SSA prevents applicants from having to provide the same paperwork to multiple offices and reduces burden on state and local administrators.
While the collaboration is new, the intent is not, Dean said, according to the release.
"We're continually working to make it easier for all people, but especially vulnerable populations - like adults and children with a disability or blindness and people age 65 or older - to access the nutrition assistance they need and deserve," she said in the release.
Under the collaboration, Social Security employees notify SSI applicants and recipients about their SNAP eligibility and will help them apply for the nutrition program. Under the collaboration, USDA and Social Security will work together to "improve efficiency, helping to advance food and nutrition security and reduce the hurdles families face to obtain the government assistance they need," the news release said.
The collaboration, based on an updated memorandum of understanding, is renegotiated every five years and "prioritizes efficiency by piloting alternatives to outdated paper-based application processes," in addition to collecting data for future improvements, the release reported.
"Expanding the use of electronic applications and telephonic signatures will make it easier for SSI recipients to complete their SNAP application," the news release said. "SSA will also provide additional data to USDA on the number of SSI applicants not receiving SNAP and at what point they drop out of the application process."
All of which already is part of Social Security's commitment to its beneficiaries, Social Security Administration Acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi said, according to the news release.
"Social Security is committed to reducing barriers and ensuring people who are eligible for benefits receive them," Kijakazi said in the release. "Partnering with USDA to test more efficient ways to apply, share information and help SSI families apply for SNAP assistance makes it easier for people to obtain the services they need."
