Washington, DC -- The Department of Human Services (DHS) was recognized by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for exemplary administration of the Food Stamp Program and will receive a $588,000 high performance bonus award. The District is one of the top two states in the nation recognized for improving its Food Stamp negative error rate during FY’03.
The negative error rate measures the correctness of DHS’ action to deny a Food Stamp Program application, or to suspend or terminate the benefits of a participating household. It also measures whether or not the agency correctly determined a household’s eligibility in compliance with Federal procedural requirements.
This is the second consecutive year the Department of Human Services has been recognized for improving its Food Stamp negative error rate, although this is the first year USDA made financial awards as authorized in Section 4120 of the Farm Bill. Eligibility for Food Stamps, as well as for other public benefits, is determined by the DHS Income Maintenance Administration (IMA).
“When we determine eligibility for our Food Stamp Program applicants, our social service representatives and other employees take all of the relevant factors into account. We have been able to improve our payment accuracy by going further during the application process by extending interviews and asking probing questions. Our goal is to uplift lives by ensuring that every household in the District of Columbia that needs Food Stamps is determined to be eligible,” said Yvonne Gilchrist, director of the Department of Human Services.