This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to allow state agencies to utilize blended workforces by contracting out Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) certification and other functions. This authority can be invoked when states experience increases in SNAP applications or an inability to timely process them, due to causes like pandemics, seasonal cycles, temporary staffing shortages, or natural disasters. Crucially, contracts must not incentivize delays or denials of eligibility, and contractors cannot have a financial interest in approved retail stores. State agencies hiring contractors must ensure their actions align with federal principles and that the contractors are part of a blended workforce, not supplanting existing merit-based personnel. States are required to notify the Secretary of their intent to use this authority, providing supporting data, which the Secretary must then make publicly available within 10 days. The Secretary is also mandated to submit an annual report to Congress detailing measures taken, supporting data, and recommendations for future preparedness regarding SNAP application processing.
This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to allow state agencies to utilize blended workforces by contracting out Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) certification and other functions. This authority can be invoked when states experience increases in SNAP applications or an inability to timely process them, due to causes like pandemics, seasonal cycles, temporary staffing shortages, or natural disasters. Crucially, contracts must not incentivize delays or denials of eligibility, and contractors cannot have a financial interest in approved retail stores. State agencies hiring contractors must ensure their actions align with federal principles and that the contractors are part of a blended workforce, not supplanting existing merit-based personnel. States are required to notify the Secretary of their intent to use this authority, providing supporting data, which the Secretary must then make publicly available within 10 days. The Secretary is also mandated to submit an annual report to Congress detailing measures taken, supporting data, and recommendations for future preparedness regarding SNAP application processing.