SNAP to Success

Overview

Mission: The SNAP to Success program aims to build upon IDHS's current SNAP Employment & Training (E&T) program by leveraging a new federal funding stream to partner with new providers and ultimately help thousands of additional SNAP participants find employment, advance in their careers, and achieve self-sufficiency.

The Basics: What is SNAP Employment & Training (E&T)?

• E&T programs help SNAP participants achieve employment and self-sufficiency through education, skills training, supportive services, and employment.
• Services and training are currently funded by the State and federal government, but funding can come from a variety of other sources as well.
• SNAP E&T's flexibility allows integration with existing workforce programs (e.g., WIOA).
• SNAP E&T services are a collaborative effort between IDHS, the federal government, and our provider partners.

The Basics: E&T Program Variety

SNAP E&T Funding Mechanisms

SNAP to Success allows Illinois to maximize 50 Percent Funds through third-party partnerships.

SNAP E&T Funding Streams	Reimbursement Rate	Allowable Costs	Caps
SNAP E&T Management	100%	FNS provides annual E&T grants to cover 100% of the cost of: Planning Implementation Operation of State program Administration & staffing	CAPPED: All federal money
SNAP Administration	50%	Administrative costs not associated with any current State funding	NOT CAPPED: Federal money plus State/other match
3rd Party Claiming	50%	Reasonable & necessary participant expenses: Child care not funded through State's Child care program Transportation Books & supplies	NOT CAPPED: Federal money plus State/other match

A New Era of SNAP E&T in Illinois

Tapping into the potential of 3rd Party Claiming in Illinois will allow IDHS and our partners to drastically improve the number of individuals we can support on their paths to self-sufficiency

• Partnerships between IDHS and providers recognize the expertise of providers and diversity of provider offerings.
• SNAP participants benefit from a larger network of providers offering broader, more diverse services.
• Federal match allows providers to expand resources and serve more individuals.

The "3rd Party Claiming" Process: The Key to SNAP to Success

To receive the federal match on allowable services, providers submit documentation to IDHS, who then submits it to FNS and serves as the pass-through entity for the matching funds.

1. IDHS and provider enter into partnership.
2. Provider serves SNAP participant and submits documentation to IDHS.
3. DHS submits expense documentation to FNS.
4. FNS issues 50% reimbursement to IDHS..

"Matchable" Non-Federal Funding Sources

To receive the 50% federal match, providers must fund allowable services with non-federal funds. There are a number of allowable non-federal sources.

Allowable Non-Federal Funding Sources

Criteria for a Successful Provider Partnership

SNAP to Success has a unique set of challenges and benefits. The right partner for IDHS will meet the following criteria:

1. Has demonstrable and verifiable data or sustained success in measurably achieving credentials and/or employment that leads to self-sufficiency.
2. Provides services that are already used by SNAP participants or are well-suited to the SNAP population
3. Has the ability to tap new/existing sources of non-federal or state funding to expand their program to serve unengaged SNAP participants. (e.g. philanthropic funds)
4. Has the administrative capacity to assess, place and track participants, track costs, and submit timely invoices
5. Willing to comply with state audits, reviews, and performance standards
6. Committed to partner with IDHS to share information and work together to maximize program effectiveness

Challenges

3rd Party Claiming can be administratively complex.

Potential challenges include:

• Providers must verify participant SNAP eligibility.
• IDHS and providers must anticipate service levels throughout the year.
• Providers and IDHS must track and document non-federal funding sources.
• Providers must verify non-federal funds they will utilize.
• Financing for providers can be difficult, especially for community-based organizations without existing connections to foundations or other donors.

Steps to a 3rd Party Partnership

We are currently educating partners on SNAP to Success and will ask interested providers to provide information to help us assess their fit with the program

• Identify - Conduct resource mapping or other systems scan to get high-level info on landscape of available non-federal funding: potential partners
• Educate - Host Info sessions to provide general E & T information.  Clarify expectations of partnership.
• Assess - Determine criteria to assess potential providers.  Use survey or RFI to obtain more information on potential partners (e.g. determine capacity, MIS system, staff resources)
• Contract - Develop Statement of Work and Budget that meets FNS regulations
• On-Board - Use training sessions, peer-to-peer support, handbooks, and FNS regional support.  Train new providers on invoicing and on accessing, entering, and sharing data on MIS systems.