List Page

10.566 NUTRITION ASSISTANCE FOR PUERTO RICO

(NAP)

FEDERAL AGENCY

FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AUTHORIZATION

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, as amended, Title 1, Section 116; Public Law 97-35; Public Law 97-253; Public Law 98-204; Public Law 99-114; Public Law 99-157; Public Law 99-182; Public Law 99-198; Public Law 101-624; Public Law 103-66; Public Law 104-127; Public Law 106-387; Public Law 107-171.

OBJECTIVES

A cash grant alternative to the Food Stamp Program to improve diets of needy persons residing in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE

Direct Payments for Specified Use.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS

Households receive money to purchase food.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicant Eligibility

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico alone is eligible.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Low-income individuals and families are eligible for benefits as determined by the Commonwealth.

Credentials/Documentation

The Commonwealth is required to document the classes of households that receive benefits and the level of those benefits. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS

Preapplication Coordination

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in the Commonwealth for more information on the process the Commonwealth requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102.

Application Procedure

The Commonwealth is required to submit an annual plan of operation to the Food and Nutrition Service for approval. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure

The Secretary of Agriculture designates the Commonwealth agency or agencies to operate the program upon submission of the request.

Deadlines

July 1 for plan submission.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Not applicable.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Program continues once approved unless there is a substantial failure to comply with regulations or withdrawal on the part of the Commonwealth.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS

Formula and Matching Requirements

The Department of Agriculture pays 100 percent of the cost of benefits and 50 percent of administrative costs.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Assistance is available for one fiscal year at a time. Assistance is provided through the electronic transfer system, consistent with Treasury Fiscal Requirement Manual, Volume I, Part 6, Section 2030.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

Reports

The content and frequency of reports is specified by the Commonwealth's plan of operation.

Audits

The Commonwealth is required to conduct an audit of expenditures at least once every two years, and is subject to audit by the Office of Inspector General, USDA. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of State and Local Governments," State and local governments, that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more within any fiscal year shall have either a single audit or (in certain cases) a program specific audit made for that year. Audits may be conducted less frequently under conditions specified in A- 133.

Records

The content and maintenance of records is specified by the Commonwealth's plan of operation.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Account Identification

12-3505-0-1-605.

Obligations

(Formula Grants) FY 04 $1,413,370,000; FY 05 $1,495,346,000; and FY 06 est $1,516,280,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Not applicable; program is available to Puerto Rico only.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Monthly data for fiscal year 2004: Persons receiving benefits, 1.01 million; benefits per person $104. Total benefits were $1,350 billion and the administrative costs totaled $53 million.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE

7 CFR 285.

INFORMATION CONTACTS

Regional or Local Office

Regional Administrator, Mid-Atlantic Regional Office, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, Robbinsville, NJ 08691-1598. Contact: Yvette Jackson. Telephone: (609) 259-5025, FTS: (609) 259-5025.

Headquarters Office

Deputy Administrator, Food Stamp Program, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA 22302. Contact: Clarence H. Carter, Deputy Administrator, Food Stamp Program. Telephone: (703) 305-2026.

Web Site Address

http://www.fns.usda.gov

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS

Not applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS

Not applicable.