B-420, Other Special Situations

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

 

B—421 Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

SNAP

FDPIR is a food distribution program that provides commodity foods to low-income households living on an Indian reservation, and to Native American families residing near reservations. The Indian tribe administers this program under approval from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). Households eligible for the FDPIR receive a monthly food package based on the number of household members. The only tribe approved in Texas is the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas in Polk County.

Individuals cannot participate simultaneously in SNAP and FDPIR. An Indian Tribal Household eligible for both programs may participate in only one of the programs of its choice for a given month. The household may switch from one program to the other, but benefits must be ended in one program before certifying the household for the other program. Benefits in the new program can be issued for the month after benefits end in the previous program.

 

B—421.1 Duplicate Participation

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

HHSC staff must identify household members receiving duplicate benefits with SNAP and FDPIR. The household can be denied from either program. If duplicate participation occurs, a household overpayment occurs for the program that was certified for benefits last. HHSC staff must send an overpayment referral to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) if the overpayment occurred in SNAP.

The Livingston HHSC office receives a list of certified FDPIR households each month.

HHSC staff must:

  • perform inquiry to identify any household members receiving benefits in both FDPIR and SNAP;
  • notify FDPIR staff about any household member with duplicate participation;
  • notify the corresponding HHSC office in another county, if the duplicate participant household moved to that county; and
  • deny SNAP, if appropriate, and refer the household to OIG for a SNAP overpayment.

Related Policy

How to File an Overpayment Referral, B-730

 

B—421.2 Intentional Program Violation (IPV)

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

Any member disqualified from SNAP for an IPV is also disqualified from participating in the FDPIR program. Likewise, any member disqualified from FDPIR for an IPV is also disqualified from participation in SNAP for the full length of the IPV disqualification period. Advisors follow policy in B-940, Texas Works (TW) Responsibilities.

 

B—421.3 Switching from FDPIR to SNAP

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

If an Indian Tribal Household chooses to receive SNAP, staff must contact the Alabama-Coushatta FDPIR staff to verify that the household does not receive FDPIR before determining SNAP eligibility.

Note: Alabama is the only other state that can be entered in the Out of State Benefit Logical Unit of Work in this situation, and advisors must document the facts in the Texas Integrated Eligibility Redesign System (TIERS) Case Comments.

 

B—421.4 Switching from SNAP to FDPIR

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

For Indian Tribal Households switching from SNAP to FDPIR, staff must:

  • process the switch as a verbal request for voluntary withdrawal from SNAP;
  • send Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action, allowing adequate notice;
  • terminate SNAP benefits for the household as soon as possible so the household may be certified for FDPIR; and
  • notify FDPIR staff of the SNAP denial effective date for the household.

Related Policy

Form TF0001 Required (Adequate Notice), A-2344.1

 

B—421.5 Verification Requirements

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

HHSC staff must contact Alabama-Coushatta FDPIR staff to verify that the household does not receive FDPIR and whether there is a current FDPIR IPV before determining SNAP eligibility for any Indian Tribal Household living in Polk County.

FDPIR staff must contact the Livingston HHSC office to verify the household does not receive SNAP and to verify any current SNAP IPV disqualification before certifying the household for FDPIR.

 

B—421.6 Documentation Requirements

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

Advisors must document the:

  • name and telephone number of the FDPIR staff who provides verification; and
  • name of the household member currently disqualified for an IPV in FDPIR.

Related Policy

Documentation, C-940