Nutrition Assistance For Puerto Rico (10.566)
Program
10.566 Nutrition Assistance For Puerto Rico
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.
Program Number
10.566
Last Known Status
Active
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 a 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
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 $300,000 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.
Program Accomplishments
Monthly data for fiscal year 2001: Persons receiving benefits, 1.07 million; benefits per person $94. Total benefits were $1,250 billion and the administrative costs totaled $42 million.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-3505-0-1-605.
Obligations
(Formula Grants) FY 02 $1,295,896,000; FY 03 est $1,350,518,000; and FY 04 est $1,377,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable; program is available to Puerto Rico only.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
7 CFR 285.
Related Programs
10.550, Food Donation; 10.551, Food Stamps.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Regional Administrator, Mid-Atlantic Regional Office, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, Trenton, NJ 08691-1598. Contact: Christopher Martin. Telephone: (609) 259-5025, FTS: (609) 348-5025.
Headquarters Office
Deputy Administrator, Food Stamp Program, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA 22302. Contact: Bonny O'Neil, Acting Deputy Administrator, Food Stamp Program. Telephone: (703) 305-2026.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
