Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013
B—421 Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
Revision 24-2; Effective April 1, 2024
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 living 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 following tribes are the only tribes approved to receive FDPIR in Texas:
- Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas in Polk County; and
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma in Bowie, Fannin, Lamar, and Red River Counties.
A household 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 in a 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 24-2; Effective April 1, 2024
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 monthly list of certified FDPIR households in Polk County from the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas.
The Paris HHSC office receives a monthly list of certified FDPIR households in Bowie, Fannin, Lamar, and Red River from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
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; 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 24-2; Effective April 1, 2024
SNAP
Verify that the Indian Tribal Household does not receive FDPIR before determining SNAP eligibility by contacting FDPIR tribal staff.
Note: Alabama and Oklahoma are the only other states that can be entered in the Out of State Benefit Logical Unit of Work in this situation. Staff 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 24-2; Effective April 1, 2024
SNAP
Verify that the Indian Tribal Household does not receive FDPIR and if there is a current FDPIR IPV before determining SNAP eligibility by contacting FDPIR tribal staff.
FDPIR tribal staff must contact the Livingston or Paris HHSC offices to verify the household does not receive SNAP or have a 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