Tribal Food Assistance: A Comparison of the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Spiro E. Stefanou andMarlene B. Schwartz

United States Department of Agriculture

关键词: Food relief;    United States;    Indian reservations;    Indians of North America;    food;    Alaska Natives;    food distribution on Indian Reservations;    Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program;    food distribution programs;    food aid;    American Indians;    tribal peoples;   

RP-ID  :  CCR-58

学科分类：农业科学（综合）

美国|英语

来源: United States Department of Agriculture Publications

【 摘 要 】

Many low-income American Indians and Alaskan Natives residing on or near reservations may participate in either of two USDA food assistance programs: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly called the Food Stamp Program) or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). SNAP provides benefits via an electronic debit card that can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers, whereas FDPIR provides a basket of food items. Eligibility requirements for the two programs are similar, but not identical, and households may not participate in both programs during the same month. Those who are eligible for both programs must choose between them. This report combines findings from site visits to seven reservations that participate in FDPIR with analysis of administrative and survey data to compare the two programs with regard to eligibility, participation, administration, and possible effects on health and nutrition. Results show that FDPIR benefits some households that are not eligible for SNAP. Simulation estimates suggest that, in an average month, 13 percent of households eligible for FDPIR would not be eligible for SNAP. Another 41 percent of the households eligible for FDPIR are eligible for SNAP but would receive FDPIR commodities with a retail value above the SNAP benefit. The remaining 46 percent of households eligible for FDPIR are eligible for SNAP and would receive more benefits from that program than from FDPIR. This study was conducted by the Urban Institute under a cooperative research contract with USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) Food and Nutrition Assistance Research Program (FANRP): contract number 59-5000-6-0105 (ERS project representative: T. Alexander Majchrowicz). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ERS or USDA. Information presented here is derived in part from the Transfer Income Model, Version 3 (TRIM3) and associated databases. TRIM3 requires users to input assumptions and/or interpretations about economic behavior and the rules governing Federal programs. Therefore, the conclusions presented here are attributable only to the authors of this report.