USDA and Social Security Administration Collaborate to Improve Nutrition Security through SNAP

CROSS-ENROLLMENT IMPROVES CUSTOMER SERVICE, ELIMINATES ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS, AND GETS MORE PEOPLE THE SERVICES THEY NEED

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) today announced a strengthened partnership to help connect Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. USDA and SSA’s new joint agreement, or memorandum of understanding, will improve efficiency, helping to advance food and nutrition security and reduce the hurdles families face to obtain the government assistance they need. SSA continues its commitment to help people access SNAP benefits in two critical ways. SSA employees notify SSI applicants and recipients of their eligibility for SNAP. And, when everyone in a household is applying for or receiving SSI, SSA will help them apply for SNAP. Under federal law, FNS reimburses SSA for time and resources spent on SNAP screenings and applications.

The updated memorandum of understanding, which is renegotiated every five years, prioritizes efficiency by piloting alternatives to outdated paper-based application processes and collecting data to inform future improvements. Expanding the use of electronic applications and telephonic signatures will make it easier for SSI recipients to complete their SNAP application. SSA will also provide additional data to USDA on the number of SSI applicants not receiving SNAP and at what point they drop out of the application process.

“Social Security is committed to reducing barriers and ensuring people who are eligible for benefits receive them,” said Acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi. “Partnering with

USDA to test more efficient ways to apply, share information, and help SSI families apply for SNAP assistance makes it easier for people to obtain the services they need.”

“USDA is dedicated to working collaboratively with our federal partners to improve access to our nutrition assistance programs,” said Stacy Dean, deputy under secretary for USDA's Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services. “Allowing SSI applicants and recipients to apply for SNAP with SSA prevents applicants from having to provide the same paperwork to multiple offices and reduces burden on state and local administrators. We’re continually working to make it easier for all people, but especially vulnerable populations — like adults and children with a disability or blindness and people age 65 or older — to access the nutrition assistance they need and deserve.”

This partnership supports Executive Order 13571 on Streamlining Service Delivery and Improving Customer Service and underscores the Biden-Harris Administration’s commit- ment to delivering better results for the American people by modernizing government programs and expanding equity in federal assistance programs. It also supports Pillar 1 of the Administration’s recently released National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, improving food access and affordability.

USDA’s FNS works to end hunger and improve food and nutrition security through a suite of more than 15 nutrition assistance programs, such as the school breakfast and lunch programs, WIC and SNAP. Together, these programs serve 1 in 4 Americans over the course of a year, promoting consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable food essential to optimal health and well-being. FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. FNS’s report, “Leveraging the White House Conference to Promote and Elevate Nutrition Security: The Role of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service,” highlights ways the agency will support the Administration’s National Strategy, released in conjunction with the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in September 2022. To learn more about FNS, visit www.fns.usda.gov and follow @USDANutrition

SSA has provided financial protection for our nation's people for over 85 years. With retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, Social Security is one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in our nation's history. The SSI program is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes). SSI provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. SSI payments are also made to people age 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications. To learn more about the SSI program, visit www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssi. Visit www.ssa.gov to learn more about SSA programs and services and visit www. ssa.gov/socialmedia for options to follow SSA on social media.

THEME:

ACROSS

Geography 101

1. Piece of data

6. Baryshnikov's step

9. Back wound

13. Soft palate hanger

14. *Any high mountain

15. Tsar's edict

16. Means

17. Bishop of Rome's jurisdiction

18. Female water-elf

19. *Highest mountain

21. *Sea that is also the largest lake 23. A in MoMA

24. *Small island

25. Ignited

28. Lamborghini model

30. Extravagant

35. 15th of March, May, July or October

37. ____-a-Sketch

39. Technology expert

40. Novice

41. Damage one's reputation

43. Lil' Bow Wow's first name

44. Bette Midler's movie "____ Pocus"

46. "I'm ____ you!"

Absolute Power Corrupts

Many citizens of the City of Pueblo believe that leaving a city manager form of government and electing a mayor was a big mistake...

* The City Charter states that City Government is nonpartisan.

* The City Manager Office to the Mayor’s office has tripled in cost to over $1.5M.

* The mayor hired a Chief of Staff aka City Manager.

* The mayor controls the agenda.

* The mayor has veto power.

* The mayor has 100% control.

Absolute Power Corrupts.....Absolutely!

This Group is submitting a petition to return to a City Manager form of government.

The City Manager is hired by City Council, works for the 7 members of City Council, and is accountable for actions.

This Citizen’s Group is petitioning for a Charter Amendment with a vote of the people May 2, 2023.

We will need approximately 4,000 signatures and begin circulating for signatures in January.

We are looking for dedicated volunteers.

Please email BackToCityManager@gmail.com and we will reach out to you with more details.

Please email BackToCityManager@gmail.com

47. Unit of pressure

48. Denver breakfast choice

50. Big rig

52. ____ de Janeiro

53. Excessively abundant

55. Ensign, for short

57. *Great ____ Reef

61. *National Geographic ____

65. Gibson garnish

66. Arabic garment

68. D-Day beach

69. *Longest continental mountain range

70. Nada

71. Energy to motion converter

72. Golf pegs

73. Red Cross bed

74. Follow as a consequence

DOWN

1. Surfer's "man"

2. Tel ____, Israel

3. Ditty

4. Extremist

5. Masters without t

6. Ghost of Christmas ____

7. Miller High Life, e.g.

8. Four-eyes' gear

9. Bypass

10. Uber alternative

11. *The largest continent

12. Past participle of "be"

15. Remove from political office

20. Eyelid infections

22. Opposite of nothing

24. Burning aroma producer

25. *____sphere, the solid earth

26. "She is pulling my leg," e.g.

27. 9 a.m. prayer

29. *____sphere, air surrounding earth

31. Sleeveless garment

32. Blood of the gods, Greek mythology

42. Young Montague

45. Brown and yellow finches

49. Cravat or bola

51. Financial gain

54. 100 centimes

56. "Barefoot in the Park" playwright

57. Summer ride

58. "Green Gables" protagonist

59. Amusement park attraction

60. Sturgeon ____ and salmon

61. Table mineral

62. Chow or grub

63. Biblical pronoun

64. Ready and eager

67. ____sphere, all life on earth

ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS

Many citizens of the City of Pueblo believe that leaving a city manager form of government and electing a mayor was a big mistake.

Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column and 3-by-3 box includes all digits 1 through 9.

The City Charter states that City Government is nonpartisan. The Manager Office to the Mayor's office has tripled in cost to over

This group is submitting a petition to return to a City Manager form

The City Manager is hired by City Council, works for the 7 members

This citizen's group is petitioning for a Charter Amendment with a vote

We will need approximately 4,000 signatures and begin circulating for

Please email Backtocitymanager@gmail.com and we will reach out to

▶

ON PAGES SIX AND SEVEN in ourselves. It is a present that's wrapped in the love of God and tied with the red ribbon of Christ's sacrifice. It is freely given to us by the Savior, and our job is simply to pass it on to others.

Unexpectedly, as I read these wise words on forgiving others, a healing balm soothed my heart. Of course, I forgive my daughter. Although she will probably never regain my trust, I will not withhold forgiveness. Over the years, I have learned that forgiving doesn’t mean we are obligated to allow that person to abuse us again. However, forgiving releases me from a bondage of my own making. Withholding forgiveness is like eating poison and hoping the other person will get sick.

I opened the card wanting desperately to find inside a word of apology. It was a simple Christmas card. Nothing more. Thankful it wasn’t filled with her wrath I put it back in the envelope. I will respond, reminding her she is still loved and that I have forgiven her. I pray you will do the same for the child in your life who needs to hear those words. Because when you do, a prisoner will be set free, and you will find that you were the one in prison. May God bless you with a clean slate as you begin this New Year.

© 2022 Jan McLaughlin. Jan can be contacted at (719) 649-2937 or (719) 275-6971 And by e-mail at JansMail@Reagan.com. Also visit PrayerForPrisoners.org