On July 14th President Clinton announced administrative changes in the Food Stamp Program aimed at better serving working families in need. The changes come in the wake of drops in Food Stamp Program participation that have far out paced drops in the numbers of persons in poverty. Only two of five working families eligible for food stamps actually apply for and receive them. The initiatives will allow more families who move from cash assistance and need cars to get to work to remain eligible for food stamp benefits. They will ease the manner in which families and agencies track fluctuations in income. They also will promote access to Food Stamp benefits by highlighting best state practices and through a national information campaign.

• Categorical Eligibility for Families Receiving a Benefit Through TANF Program:

Under the Food Stamp Act, individuals receiving benefits under Title IV-A of the Social Security Act (SSA) are categorically eligible for food stamps--they need not meet the separate resource rules applied in the Food Stamp Program. This new policy clarifies that any time all members of a household receive benefits under a program for needy families funded primarily through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program--whether cash or other benefits such as services--the TANF resource rules apply. This may be most helpful for working families who own a vehicle that is worth more than $4650, the limit allowed under the regular Food Stamp Program rules. In many states families can own a vehicle of any value (or at least of much higher value than $4650) and still qualify for services under TANF.

• Streamlining Reporting Requirements for Working Families:

USDA will approve state agency requests: 1) to implement a quarterly reporting system for households with earned income and allowing quarterly reporting of income for such households; 2) to modify the existing status reporting policy to allow six-month certification periods (as opposed to three-month certification periods); and 3) to modify the existing status reporting policy to increase the reporting threshold from $25 to $100. (Current regulations require that households report changes in sources of income and amount of gross monthly income of $25 or more).

• Promoting Access Through Best State Practices and Information Campaign:

USDA has published a guide on access to food stamp benefits for working families, including examples of best state practices. USDA also has established a toll-free line (1-800-221-5689) and is preparing informational materials to assist in educating families and communities about how to obtain food stamp benefits.