Missouri's Food Stamp Program labeled among the best in the nation

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) has earned $4,386,999 in performance bonuses for "exceptional management of the state's food stamp program."

According to the DSS, "Preventing hunger in Missouri is the only reward the Department of Social Services seeks from management of the food stamp program." Soon DSS will receive a financial reward for providing outstanding and timely nutrition aid.

The USDA is rewarding the DSS Family Support Division for prompt processing of food stamp applications and an outstanding record of ensuring state residents access to food stamps, according to the release. The USDA gives states 30 days to approve food stamp applications and send the nutrition assistance to those who qualify for the program.

According to the DSS, in 2008 the Family Support Division had an application processing timeliness rate of just over 95 percent, meaning 95 percent of food stamp applications received were processed within a month. On average those eligible for food stamps received assistance within 10 days of submitting an application.

According to Dunklin County Family Support Division Manager Sheila Cooper, the program is a success because the workers show care and heed to their time frames.

"I think what makes [the program] so successful is that we adhere to our schedule timeframes and we give the benefits in the time that is allotted," Cooper said.

"We show care in our projection of income."

Darrell Deacon, Southeast Missouri Field Liaison for FSD, says the hard work the employees put into the program is the reason it is a success.

"[The success] is really due to hard work by the workers," Deacon said. "They really are putting out an effort to determine the correct eligibility and to do it quickly."

In addition to the bonus for exceptional management of the food stamp program, Missouri will also receive its sixth consecutive bonus for having a high Program Access Index. The Program Access Index is the ratio of food stamp program participants to the number of people in the state living below 125 percent of poverty. In 2008 the Program Access Index for Missouri was 90 percent, according to the DSS.

"The hard work and dedication of the Family Support Division staff ensures that our state's most vulnerable citizens receive nutrition assistance in a timely, efficient manner," said DSS Director Ron Levy. "The bonuses from the USDA are well-deserved recognition for the excellent work the Family Support Division staff performs each day."

In total, the USDA is awarding $48 million in bonuses to states with high or improved performance in administering the food stamp program. Food Stamps provide nutrition assistance to low-income residents. The USDA funds the program. The DSS Family Support Division accepts applications and distributes food stamps benefits on behalf of the USDA.