Evaluation of Expedited Service in the Food Stamp Program, Vol. II, Appendices

              COMPLETED fi <%-a \ F131nl* a
United States
|\ Department of
VfBtLi Agriculture
Food and
Consumer
Service
Office of
Analysis and
Evaluation
Evaluation of Expedited
Service in the Food
Stamp Program
Volume II —Appendices
■
EVALUATION OF EXPEDITED SERVICE
IN THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
Volume n—Appendices
Authors:
Susan Bartlett
Nancy R. Burstein
Elsie C. Pan
June 1995
Prepared for:
Ms. Barbara Murphy
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Food and Consumer Service
Office of Analysis and Evaluation
3101 Park Center Drive, Room 214
Alexandria, VA 22302
Prepared by:
Abt Associates
55 Wheeler Street
Cambridge. MA 02138
This study was sponsored by the Office of Analysis and Evaluation. Food and Consumer Service. U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of
its ongoing research agenda (contract number 53-3198-2-029). Points of view or opinions stated in this report are those of the authors and do
not necessarily represent the official position of the Food and Consumer Service.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VOLUME I
Executive Summary i
Chapter One: Introduction 1
Study Objectives 3
Research Approach 3
Organization of the Report 9
Chapter Two: Characteristics of the Expedited Service Caseload 11
Prevalence of Expedited Service Among Approved Applications 12
Characteristics of Expedited Cases 15
Benefit Receipt and Caseload Dynamics 29
Summary 33
Chapter Three: Expedited Service Entitlement Criteria 35
Expedited Service Entitlement Criteria 36
Relative Need for Expedited Service 38
Summary 53
Chapter Four: Application Processing 57
Timeliness of Benefit Delivery 58
Accuracy of Expedited Service Designations 64
Administrative Practices 67
Summary 72
Chapter Five: The Effect of Expedited Service on Payment Error 75
Benefit Change After Initial Issuance 76
Continuing Payments Made to Expedited Service Cases with Incomplete
Verification 84
Impact of Expedited Service on Case Errors for Regularly-Processed Cases .... 84
Summary 88
Chapter Six: The Effect of Expedited Service on Staff Time Required to Process
Applications 89
Resources Used for Screening Cases for Expedited Service 89
Impact of Expedited Service on Verification Activities Occurring After the
Certification Interview 92
Impact of Expedited Service on Length of Certification Period 95
Summary 97
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc.
Table of Contents
Chapter Seven: Major Issues in Expedited Service Policy 99
Entitlement Criteria 99
Five-Day Processing Standard 103
Postponed Verification 104
Screening for Expedited Service 105
Fraud, Error, and Abuse 106
VOLUME II
Appendix A: Sample Sizes, Response Rates, and Data Collection Instruments
Appendix B: Comparisons to 1987 Study
Appendix C: Comparisons of 1991-1992 and 1993 Samples
Appendix D: Supplementary Exhibits
Appendix E: National Estimates of Presumptive Overpayment Error
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. \ V \
APPENDIX A
SAMPLE SIZES, RESPONSE RATES,
AND DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS
w
APPENDIX A
SAMPLE SIZES, RESPONSE RATES, AND
DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS
The study involved six related data collection activities:
abstraction from client case file records of approved applicants;
a self-administered survey of FSP applicants;
a self-administered survey of workers involved in the application process;
interviews with State food stamp directors or their representatives;
interviews with local food stamp office directors; and
interviews with representatives of client advocacy groups.
The sample sizes and response rates of these data collection activities are discussed in
the first section of this appendix. Copies of all data collection instruments follow.
Sample Sizes and Response Rates
As discussed in Chapter One, two nationally-representative samples of approved food
stamp applicants were drawn for case file record abstraction. The first sample includes
households that applied for food stamps between October 1, 1991 and September 30, 1992, and
the second sample includes those that applied during August and September 1993.
The participating States (and in some cases counties) provided the sampling frame for
the 1991-1992 sample. We asked them to provide a list (machine-readable or hard copy) of all
approved food stamp applicants in the relevant time period and to indicate whether the applicants
received expedited service and whether they were homeless. Our sample was drawn from these
lists.
The self-administered applicant survey provided the frame for the 1993 sample. During
the certification interview, eligibility workers reviewed the completed survey and supplied
information concerning the expedited status and homeless status of the applicant household and
the disposition of the application (approved, denied, pending).
Exhibit A.l shows the size of the initial sample drawn and the number of completed
case file record abstractions.
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. A-l
Appendix A: Sample Sizes, Response Rates, and Data Collection Instruments
Exhibit A.1
SAMPLE SIZES: CASE FILE RECORD ABSTRACTION
r Sample
October 1991
September 1992
August-September
1993
Number
Percentage
of Sample Number
Percentage
of Sample
Number sampled 9335 100.0% 4915 100.0%
Casefile not located 1567 16.8 322 6.6
Above quota 1819 19.5 NA NA
Ineligible 1353 14.5 813 16.5
Incomplete 99 1.1 85 1.7
Full analysis sample 4497 48.2% 3695 75.2%
The 1991-1992 sample included 9,335 cases and the final analysis sample included
4,497 cases or 48 percent of the initial sample.
Many of the States could not provide information on the expedited service status and
homeless status for households applying during 1991-1992. This meant that we had to draw a
much larger sample in order to ensure that we obtained the targeted number of completed record
abstractions. The 20 percent of the cases listed as "above quota" reflect this effect.
The field interviewers also experienced difficulty locating 17 percent of the FY 1992
sample. These older records are often not accessible, particularly for cases that are no longer
active.
Ineligible cases include primarily those that were recertifications and not initial
applications, and households that were denied benefits.
The initial sample for the 1993 sample included 4,915 cases, and the final analysis file
included 75 percent of these or 3,695 cases. Locating case files was less of a problem, since
the abstraction took place within several months of the application. For most applicants we
knew their expedited service status and homeless status, which made the sampling task more
straightforward. The final disposition was known for most expedited applicants, though only
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. A-2
Appendix A: Sample Sizes, Response Rates, and Data Collection Instruments
about 40 percent of regularly-processed applicants, and thus 17 percent of the initial sample, was
ineligible for the study, mostly because they were denied benefits.
The self-administered applicant survey was completed by households applying for food
stamps during August and September 1993 in the 59 offices participating in the study. All
persons applying for benefits in the small and medium-sized offices, and a sample of persons
in the large offices, were asked to complete the survey, which was attached to the application
form.
Exhibit A.2 shows that 11,509 persons completed the survey. We were only interested
in approved applicants, and thus we excluded the 11 percent who were denied benefits. Most
surveys had sufficient information to be included in the sampling frame. As a result of these
two factors, 86 percent of the initial sample, or 9,891 applicants, were included in the 1993
sampling frame for the case record abstraction. As mentioned above, we sampled 4,915 of these
applicants.
Exhibit A.2
SAMPLE SIZES: SELF-ADMINISTERED APPLICANT SURVEY
Number
Percent of
Number Received
Number of surveys received 11,509 100.0%
Duplicates 39 0.3
Denied food stamp benefits 1,293 11.2
Insufficient information for sampling 286 2.5
Number in sampling frame 9,891 85.9
Number sampled 4,915 42.7%
The response rates on the remaining components of the data collection activities were
extremely high, as Exhibit A.3 shows. All the State food stamp directors and local office
directors in the participating offices completed the interviews. A sample offood stamp workers
involved in the application process were asked to participate in a self-administered survey, and
98 percent completed it. Finally, all representatives of local advocacy groups contacted for the
study agreed to be interviewed.
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. A-3
Appendix A: Sample Sizes, Response Rates, and Data Collection Instruments
Exhibit A.3
SAMPLE SIZES: STATE OFFICIAL. LOCAL OFFICIAL,
FOOD STAMP WORKER, AND ADVOCACY GROUP INTERVIEWS
Number Selected
Number Completed
Interviews/Surveys
State officials 26 26
Local food stamp directors 59 59
Food stamp workers 424 417
Advocacy groups 58 58
Data Collection Instruments
Copies of the six data collection instruments can be found as follows:
Case file record abstraction form—pages A-5 to A-14;
Applicant survey—pages A-15 to A-18;
Worker survey—pages A-19 to A-29;
State food stamp director interview—pages A-31 to A-54;
Local food stamp office directors interview—pages A-55 to A-92; and
Advocacy group interview—pages A-93 to A-103.
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. A-4
CASE FILE RECORD REVIEW FORM
AbilD Site ID
Food Stamp Case Number (Al> Dale of Record Abstraction
SECTION A: SCREENING INFORMATION
Ala. Is the Case number the same as the applicant's Social Security Number?
Yes SKIP TO A2 1
No 2
Alb. Social Security Number
I I I I -1 I I -1 I I I I
A2. Month Sampled
I I I MONTH I I I YEAR
ALAST: AFIRST; AMIDDLE.
Head of Household's Name:
Last: First: Middle Initial:
Aj. Is the case under the jurisdiction of this office?
Yes 1
No (REJECT CASE) 2
A3. Is there an initial certification in the case file for the sampled month?
Yes 1
No 2
Don't Know 8
A4. Is there an initial certification in the case file for any of the following months?
October 1. 1991 - September 30, 1992 1
August 1. 1993 - September 30. 1993 2
No (REJECT CASE) 3
Don't know (REJECT CASE) 8
A5. Inibal certification
Approved 1
Denied (REJECT CASE) 2
Don't know (REJECT CASE) 8
A-5
SECTK M B: HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS
Bl. Sex
B2. Race
B3. Citizenship
B4. Marital Status
Male 1
Female 2
Don't Know 8
African-American, not Hispanic 1
American Indian or Alaskan Native 2
Asian or Pacific Islander 3
Hispanic 4
White, not Hispanic 5
Other (Specify )[B2A] ... 6
Don't Know 8
United States 1
Other 2
Don't know 8
Never married 1
Married 2
Separated 3
Divorced 4
Widowed 5
Don't know 8
B5. Disabled
Yes 1
No 2
Don't know 8
B6. Employment Status
Employed 1
Not employed 2
Don't know 8
B7. Received food stamps before current application
Yes 1
No SKIP TO Q.C1 2
Don't know SKIP TO Q.C1 8
B7a. End date of most recent spell
I I II I Jl I I
MONTH DAY YEAR
B7b. Received expedited service before this application
Yes 1
No 2
Don't know 8
A-6
SECTION C: HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION
Cl. NUMBER IN FOOD STAMP HOUSEHOLD: 1 1
C2. Members of Food Stamp Household DATE OF BIRTH
MONTH DAY YEAR
C2A HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
C3B
C2C
C2D
C2E
C2F
C2G
C2H
C2I
C2J
C2AY. If C2A Blank. Why?
Not Available 1
Not Known 2
C3. Type of household
Single parent with children 1
Married couple/parents with children 2
Married couple without children 3
Single person, no children 4
Multiple adults, with children 5
Multiple adults, without children . 6
Other (Specify )[C3A] . . 7
C4. Anyone in household disabled
Yes 1
No 2
Don't know 3
C5. Anyone in household is a destitute migrant or seasonal farmworker
Yes 1
No 2
Don't know 3
C6. Homeless household
Yes 1
No 2
Don't know 3
A-7
SECTION D: INCOME, ASSETS AND EXPENSES - MONTH OF APPLICATION
Dl MONTHLY INCOME
Earnings D1A
AFDC DIB
Genera] Assistance D1C
Social Security DID
SSI DIE
Unemployment Compensation D1F
Other. SPECIFY
D1G1 DIG
Other. SPECIFY
D1H1
D1H
TOTAL MONTHLY GROSS INCOME
D1I
[AUTO-ADD]
D2 ASSETS
Cash D2A
Bank accounts icbec*™ ** uvng» D2B
Other liquid resources D2C
Vehicle lemutk ponton) D2D
Other non-liquid resources D2E
TOTAL ASSETS
D2F
IAUTO-ADD]
A-8
D3 SHELTER EXPENSES
Rent/Mortgage D3A
Are any or all utility expense amounts for this case
standard allowances?
D3STAL Y N DK
Is there one standard allowance that includes all utility
components?
D3STAL1 Y N DK
TOTAL UTILITIES: STANDARD ALLOWANCE
(SKIP TO SECTION E) D3STAL2
AMOUNT STANDARD ALLOWANCE
Telephone D3B
D3B1
Y N DK
Gas/Fuel D3C
D3C1
Y N DK
Electric D3D D3D1
Y N DK
Water/Sewer D3E
D3E1
Y N DK
Other (Garbage and Trash, Installation Fee. etc.) D3F
D3F1
Y N DK
TOTAL UTILITIES
Actual D3G [AUTO-ADD]
Standard allowance
D3H [AUTO-ADD]
TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENSES D3I [AUTO-ADD]
A-9
SECTION E: APPLICATION PROCESS
El. Application date
I I II I II I I
MONTH DAY YEAR
E2. Expedited service status before certification interview
Expedited service 1
Regular 2
Not determined before certification interview 3 SKIP TO E4
Don't know 8
E3. Expedited service screening date
I I II I II I I
MONTH DAY YEAR
E4. Certification interview date
I I II I II I I
MONTH DAY YEAR
E5. Expedited service status after certification interview
Expedited service 1
Regular SKIP TO Q.E19 2
Don't know 8
E6. Expedited service criteria
E6A. Monthly income/assets below guidelines Y N DK
E6B. Destitute migrant/seasonal farmworker Y N DK
E6C. Shelter expenses exceed income/resources Y N DK
E6D. Homeless Y N DK
IF "HOMELESS" IS CIRCLED, ANSWER Q.E7 AND Q.E8, OTHERWISE SKIP TO Q£9
E7. Where does applicant usually sleep
E7A. Shelter/welfare hotel 1
E7B. Halfway houses 2
E7C. Another individual's residence 3
E7D. Other indoors 4
E7E. Outdoors 5
E7F. Don't know 8
A-10
E8. Note any information concerning homeless situation. If living in another individual's residence, describe the applicant's
relationship to the individual and the length of time the applicant household has staved there.
E8A. _^
Verification Items
Supplied at
interview' Required After Interview1
Date Supplied
MON/DAY/YR
Don't
v ., Don't
Yes No .know Yes No
Don't
know
know
E9 A. Identity
B. Household
Composition
C. Residence
D. Alien Status
E. SSN card/number
1. 1 2 8
I. 1 2 8
1. 1 2 8
1. 1 2 8
1. 1 2 8
2. 1 2
2. 1 2
2. 1 2
2. 1 2
2. 1 2
8
8
8
8
8
3.1 1 1 1 8
1
< 3.1 1 1 1 8
Z
55 3.1 1 1 1 8
X
3.1 1 1 1 8
3.1 1 1 1 8
E10 A. Income (earned)
B. Income
(unearned)
C. Vehicle
D. Bank statement
E. Other
resources/assets
1. 1 2 8
1. I 2 8
1. 1 2 8
1. 1 2 8
1. I 2 8
2. 1 2
2. 1 2
2. 1 2
2. 1 2
2. 1 2
8
8
8
8
8
3.1 1 1 1 8
< 3.1 1 1 1 8
Uz<zE
3.1 1 1 1 8
3.1 i 1 1 8
3.1 1 1 1 8
Ell A. Rent/Mortgage
B. Gas/Fuel
C. Electric
D. Water/sewage
E. Telephone
F. Dependent care
G. Medical
1. 1 2 8
1. 1 2 8
1. 1 2 8
1. 1 2 8
1. 1 2 8
1. 1 2 8
1. 1 2 8
2. 1 2
2. 1 2
2. 1 2
2. 1 2
2. 1 2
2. 1 2
2. 1 2
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
3.1 1 1 1 8
3.1 1 1 1 8 a 3.1 1 1 1 8
| 3.1 1 1 1 8
3.1 1 1 1 8
3.1 1 1 1 8
3.1 1 1 1 8
E12
A. Job termination
B. Citizenship
Statement
C. Work
Registration
1. 1 2 8
1. 1 2 8
1. 1 2 8
2. 1 2
2. 1 2
2. 1 2
8
8
8
3.1 1 1 1 8 C/3
Z
a. —
- Id 3.1 1 1 1 8
B£
3.1 1 1 1 8
E13 A. Specify
1. 1 2 8
1. 1 2 8
2. 1 2
2. 1 2
8
8
3.1 1 1 1 8
B
H
3.1 1 1 1 5 B. Specify
8
' If more than one piece of documentation neede to verify an item, record yes only if all supplied.
: If more than one piece of documentation needed to verify an item, record date last doumentation supplied.
All
E14. Were initial month's benefits issued with postponed verification
Yes 1
No 2
Don't know 8
El5. Was any out-of-state verification required?
Yes 1
No 2
Don't know 8
El6. Verification complete
Yes 1
No 2
Don't know 8
E16A
—> I I II I II I I
MONTH DAY YEAR
E17. Case received 2nd month's benefits
Yes (includes cases that received combined first and second month's payments) 1
No. verification not complete 2
No. had one month certification period and did not reapply 3
No. verification complete and determined ineligible:
should not have received first month's benefits 4
No. verification complete and determined ineligible in 2nd month
due to change in circumstances since first month 5
El8. Duplicate payment check complete
Yes 1
No 2
Don't know 8
Not Applicable 9
E18A
—» I I II I II l_
MONTH DAY YEAR
E19. Address CIRCLE CODE FOR "YES", "NO", "DON'T KNOW"
ADDRESS Yes No Don't
Know
A. Local office address given 1 2 8
B. Coupons or ATP picked up at office 1 2 8
C. Mailing address, not where client stays 1 2 8
D. No address given at all 1 2 8
E20. Date approved/authorized
I I
MONTH DAY YEAR
A-12
E21. Initial certification period
From I I II I II I I
MONTH DAY YEAR
To I I II I II I I
MONTH DAY YEAR
E22. Month! y allotment amount
$1 I
E23. Date initial month's benefits were:
Mailed Out:
Yes 1
No 2 SKIP TO E24
Don't know 8 SKIP TO E24
Not applicable 9 SKIP TO E24
E23A. I_1_l II I II I I
MONTH DAY YEAR
E24. Available over the counter
Yes 1
No 2 SKIP TO E25
Don't know 8 SKIP TO E25
Not applicable 9 SKIP TO E25
E24A. I I II I II l_
MONTH DAY YEAR
E25. Initial month's ATP picked up
Yes 1
No 2 SKIP TO E27
Not applicable 3 SKIP TO E27
Don't know 8 SKIP TO E27
Not applicable 9 SKIP TO E27
E26. Initial month's coupons picked up/ATP exchanged for coupons
Yes 1
No 2
Don't know 8
E26A. Date coupons received
I I II I II I I
MONTH DAY YEAR
E27. Amount of initial month's benefits
$1 I
E28. Combined first and second month's payment
Yes 1
No 2
Don't know 8
A-13
Section F: Food Stamp Participation History
CoapMc for as »aay momths as data available
I
MONTH
II .1 DATE SAMPLED (THIS IS THE SAME AS "A2")
YEAR
Months after
month sampled
Month and Year
(MM/YY)
Status* Reason for closure**
Monthly reporting
household
Benefit amount
1st F1A (AUTO-ADD) FIB F1C F1DY N FIE
2nd F2A [AUTO-ADD] F2B F2C F2DY N F2E
3rd F3A IAUTO-ADD] F3B F3C F3DY N F3E
4th F4A IAUTO-ADD] F4B F4C F4DY N F4E
5th F5A (AUTO-ADD) F5B F5C F5DY N F5E
6th F6A [AUTO-ADDI F6B F6C F6DY N F6E
7th F7A (AUTO-ADDI F7B F7C F7DY N F7E
8th F8A IAUTO-ADD] F8B F8C F8DY N F8E
9th F9A (AUTO-ADD] F9B F9C F9DY N F9E
10th F10A [AUTO-ADD] F10B F10C F10DY N F10E
11th F11AIAUTO-ADD] F11B FUC F11DY N F11E
12th F12A IAUTO-ADD] F12B F12C F12DY N F12E
13th F13A (AUTO-ADD] FOB F13C F13DY N F13E
14th F14A IAUTO-ADD] F14B F14C F14DY N F14E
15th F15A (AUTO-ADD) F15B F15C F15DY N F15E
16th F16A |AUTO-ADD| F16B F16C F16DY N F16E
17th F17A IAUTO-ADD) F17B F17C F17DY N F17E
18th F18A IAUTO-ADD] F18B F18C F18DY N F18E
19th FI9A |AUTO-ADD| F19B F19C F19DY N F19E
20th F20A IAUTO-ADD] F20B F20C F20DY N F20E
21st F21A IAUTO-ADD] F21B F21C F21DY N F21E
22nd F22A IAUTO-ADD] F22B F22C F22DY N F22E
23rd F23A IAUTO-ADD) F23B F23C F23DY N F23E
Status*
A = active, month of initial certification: did not receive exp
B = active, month of initial certification: received expedited
1 C = active, month of recernficanon
1 D = active, no certifications this month
E = closed (did not receive benefit this month)
edited service
service
Reasons for closure**
A - over income
B - over resources
C - voluntary termination
D - household moved
E - did not apply for recertificaiion
F - did not complete verification
G - did not complete program requirement
(other than verification)
A-14
Food Stamp Applicant Survey
OMB Number: 0584-0444
Approval Expires: January 1995
The purpose of this survey is to collect information that will help the Food and Nutrition Service to learn
more about the experiences of people who apply for food stamp benefits.
Your participation in this stuoy *riM not affect your abSty to receive food stamps or the amount of the
benefits. All information you provide is voluntary and strictly confidential.
Please read each question carefully and follow the instructions for how to mark your answers. Thank you
for your cooperation.
1. Is this the first time you have ever applied for food stamps? (Circle only one answer)
1 Yes
2 No (Answer a and b below)
IF NO: a. When was the last time you received food stamps? (Circle only one answer)
1 Within the past 12 months
2 More than 12 months ago
b. Where did you make your fast application for food stamps? (Circle only one answer)
1 At this office
2 At a different office in this state
3 In a different state
2. Why did you apply for food stamps at this time? (Circle ALL the reasons listed below that apply to you
or to someone in your household)
1 Lost my job or cannot find a job
2 Work hours cut back on my job
3 Don't earn enough money on my job
4 Loss of income or benefits, such as AFDC, child support payments, or unemployment benefits
5 Used up my savings
6 Serious health problem
7 Lost my housing
8 Rent, mortgage or utilities payments went up
9 My spouse or partner left
10 A child was added to my household
11 I moved here from another state or county
12 I just found out about the Food Stamp Program
3. Which one of the answers you circled in Question 2 is the most important reason that you decided to
apply for food stamps today?
Write the number for the most important answer here: I I I
A-15
4. Did you work for pay in the past 12 month*? (Circle only one answer)
1 Yes How many months did you work for pay? (Write in number)
2 No PLEASE SKIP TO QUESTION 10
If you had more man one job during the past 12 months, think about the job that you held the longest.
5. How long did you work at this job? (Circle only one answer)
0 Less than 1 year
1 Between 1 and 2 years
2 Between 2 and 3 years
3 Between 3 and 5 years
4 5 years or more
6. In general, how many hours a week did you work at this job? (Circle only one answer)
1 30 or more hours per week
2 Between 20 and 29 hours per week
3 Less than 20 hours per week
7. What was the highest salary that you were paid at this job?
(Enter amount and circle the appropriate time period)
$ per Hour / Week / Month / Year <— (Circle one)
8. Were you able to get health insurance through your employer at this job? (Circle only one
answer)
1 Yes
2 No
9. Please briefly describe your job title and the kind of business or industry in which you worked.
(For example, "I was a typist for a company that makes running shoes.")
A-16
10. As of today, do you have a house, apartment, or some other permanent place to live?
(Circle only one answer)
1 Yes
2 No How long ago was it that you had a home or other permanent place to live?
(Writt in numbtr o1 months or yan) | | | Months OR | | | Years
11. Over the past 7 days, where did yoU sleep or rest at night? (Circle ALL that apply)
1 My own apartment, house, or room
2 Friend or relative's place where I stay permanently
3 Relative's place where I'm staying temporality
How long have you lived with this relative? (Writs in numbar ot days, wastes, or months)
I I I Days OR | | | Weeks OR I I I Months
4 Friend's place where I'm staying temporarily
HOW long have you lived With this friend? (Writs in numbar of days, waaks, months)
I I I Days OR I I I Weeks OR I I I Months
5 Shelter or welfare hotel
6 Outdoors, on the street, in a park, in a tent, under a bridge, in a car
7 Abandoned building, bus station, subway, all-night movie, hallway, lobby, other indoor space
12. Over the past 7 days, have you or others in your household eaten any meals in a shelter, soup kitchen,
or other place serving free meals, or have you gotten free food from a food bank or from someone
else? Do not count free school lunches for children. (Circle only one answer)
1 Yes On how many of the past 7 days did you do this? | | DAYS
2 No
13. Which of these statements test describes the food eaten in your household h the last month?
(Circle only one answer)
1 Enough of the kinds of food we want to eat
2 Enough food but not always the kinds of food we want to eat
3 Sometimes not enough to eat
4 Often not enough to eat
14. In the last month, were there days when you or your household had no food or money to buy food?
(Circle only one answer)
1 Yes How many days did this happen during the past month? I I I DAYS
2 No
15. In the last month, did you or anyone in your household skip any meals because there wasnt enough
food or money to buy food? (Circle only one answer)
1 Yes How many days did this happen during the past month? I I I DAYS
2 No
Thank you for your help with thfc survey!
A-17
For Office Use Only
OFFICE USE ONLY
CONTROL NUMBER
NAME OF APPLICANT: Last. First. Ml:
SOCIAL SECURITY
NUMBER: | 1 1 J-l 1 l-l 1 1 1 1
DATE OF BIRTH: MONTH| | 1 DAYI 1 YEAR | | |
OTHER IDENTIFYING
NUMBER,
IF APPLICABLE: 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1. At screening, was this applicant identified as being entitled to expedited service?
1 Yes
2 No
2. After the certification interview, this food stamp application was processed under
1 Expedited service ANSWER QUESTION 3 AND QUESTION 4 BELOW
2 Regular service ANSWER QUESTION 4 BELOW
3. Under which criteria was this applicant entitled to expedited service? (Circle ALL that apply)
1 All members of household are homeless
2 Shelter expenses exceed income and liquid resources
3 Monthly income and assets below guidelines
4 Migrant or seasonal farmworker
4. After the certification interview, the food stamp application was:
1 Approved
2 Denied
3 Disposition not yet determined
A-18
OMB Number 0584-0444
Approval Expires: January 1995
SURVEY OF WORKERS INVOLVED IN PROCESSING
FOOD STAMP APPLICATIONS
Dear Eligibility Specialist:
THANK YOU for volunteering to complete this survey of expedited service that Abt Associates is
conducting for the Food and Nutrition Service. The general purpose of the evaluation is to provide
national data on the size and characteristics of the expedited service population and to evaluate how
well current laws and regulations target households in urgent need of assistance.
We want to assure you that Abt Associates Inc. adheres to the highest standards in protecting the
privacy of individuals involved in this study. Your responses are confidential. None of the questions
will be used to identify you or your clients. You may refuse to answer any question; however, we
encourage you to answer all questions since your responses will represent the experience of other
eligibility specialists like yourself.
You may complete this survey during your working hours.
Thank you very much. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Directions for completing this questionnaire
Please indicate your answers to questions by:
a) circling the code number that appears after your answers, or
b) printing your answers in the boxes or on the lines provided.
Here are some examples:
1. What is your current position at this agency?
Supervisor 1
Eligibility worker 2
Assistant eligibibty worker 3
Clerk 4
Receptionist 5
Other position (SPECB-Y)_ 6
2. If you could make one change in Federal expedited service policy or procedures, what
would it be? Please explain why you would make this change.
Stflotu five -wording days to process expedited service applications.
A-19
Survey of Workers Involved in
Processing Food Stamp Applications
1. What is your current position at this agency?
Supervisor 1
Eligibility worker 2
Assistant eligibility worker , 3
Clerk 4
Receptionist 5
Other position (SPECIFY) . . 6
2. How long have you held this position?
Less than one year 1
1 - 5 years 2
More than 5 to Less than 10 years 3
More than 10 years 4
3. How long have you worked at this agency?
Less than one year 1
1-5 years 2
More than 5 to Less than 10 years 3
More than 10 years 4
4. Are you involved with assistance programs other than food stamps?
Yes 1
No 2 PLEASE SKIP TO Q.5
A. IF "YES": What other programs? CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY.
a. AFDC/ADC 01
b. Medicaid, other medical support programs 02
c. Local or county welfare 03
d. General relief/Home Relief/General Assistance 04
e. Nursing home assistance 05
f. Other homeless benefits 06
g. Refugee assistance programs 07
h. Other programs (SPECIFY BELOW) 08
A-20
Case Processing Times
5. For each of the following steps in the application process in which you are involved, please estimate the
number of minutes it takes, on average, for you to handle a case.
Steps in the Application Process in
which you are involved
Check (•) Che steps m
which you participate
TYPES OF FOOD STAMP APPLICANTS
Expedited Service, food
stamps only
Expedited
Scrvrf.ako applying
lot Public Assistance
Regular 30-day. food
stamp* only
Regular 304ay. also
applying for Public
Assistance
a. Screening to determine expedited
services entitlement
nunutes nunutes
"~*
mnutes
b. Certification interview (including
scheduling the interview)
mmuies minutes mnutes minutes
c. Verification activities thai occur
after the certification interview
omutes nunutes mnutes mmnes
d. Calculating food stamp eligibility
and benefit amount
mnules mnutes mnutes mnutes
e. Activities you do to issue the initial
food stamp benefit (i.e., filling in
forms, oding. etc.)
in 011 ir-. mmuies mnutes mnutes
f. Other steps (Specify) mnutes mnutes mnutes mnutes
TOTALS FOR STEPS
YOU PERFORM
minutes 1 mnutes mnutes mnutes
6. In the grid below, please compare the average number of minutes to process each type of expedited
service case to the two "total" columns under "expedited service" in Question 5.
Compared to the average time for all steps that you perform in handling expedited service cases, does
it take more time, the same amount of time, or jess time to process each type of case listed below.
If you answer "more time" or "less time," please write the number of minutes it takes to process this
type of case.
Type of Expedited
Service Household
Expedited Service, food stamps only Expedited Service, also appl ring for Public Assistance
a. Homeless More time
Same amount of time
Less time
Not Applicable
1 -»l 1 Minutes
2
3 -»l 1 Minutes
4
More time
Same amount of time
Less time
Not Applicable
1 -»l
2
3-»l
4
1 Minutes
1 Minutes
b. Migrant and Seasonal
Farm Workers
More time
Same amount of time
Less time
Not Applicable
1 -»l 1 Minutes
2
3 -*l 1 Minutes
4
More time
Same amount of time
Less time
Not Applicable
1 ->l
2
3 -»l
4
1 Minutes
1 Mini'tes
c. Shelter Expenses
Exceed Income and
Liquid Resources
More time
Same amount of time
Less time
Not Applicable
1 -*l 1 Minutes
2
3 -*l 1 Minutes
4
More time
Same amount, of time
Less time
Not Applicable
1 -»l
2
3-»L
4
1 Minutes
1 Minutes
d. Income and Asset
Levels Below
Threshold
More lime
Same amount of time
Less time
Not Applicable
I -»l 1 Minutes
2
3 -*l 1 Minutes
4
More time
Same amount of time
Less time
Not Applicable
1 -»l
2
3-»L
4
1 Minutes
1 Minutes
A-21
7. If you were required to handle expedite service cases in the same way that you handle regular 30-day
cases, would it take you more time, the same amount of time, or less time? PLEASE CIRCLE ONE
ANSWER AND EXPLAIN BELOW.
More time 1
Same amount of time 2
Less time 3
8. Are you involved in recertifying clients for food stamps?
Yes 1
No 2 PLEASE SKIP TO Q.9
A. Which tasks do you handle? CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY
a. Certification interview 1
b. Verification 2
c. Determining expedited service status and benefit amount . 3
B. How long does the average recertification take for: IF YOU DO NOT WORK WITH A PARTICULAR
TYPE OF CASE, WRITE "NA" IN THE "MINUTES" BOX.
a. A Non-Public Assistance food stamp case? I I Minutes
b. A Public Assistance food stamp case? I I Minutes
Verification and Certification Issues
9. Are you involved in certification and verification activities for food stamp clients?
Yes 1
No 2 PLEASE SKIP TO Q.17
10. What kinds of expedited service cases tend to have verification postponed? CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY
a. Homeless 01
b. Migrant or seasonal farmworkers 02
c. Shelter expenses greater than income and liquid resources 03
d. Income and assets below threshold 04
e. Large households 05
f. Those with income during the month of appucation .... 06
g. Those with assets at application 07
h. Other types of cases (SPECIFY) ... 08
A-22
11. What items of verification are more likely to be postponed? CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY
a. Personal identification 01
b. Social Security number or Card 02
c. Proof of address 03
d. Alien status 04
e. Earned income 05
f. Unearned income 06
g. VehicJe ownership 07
h. Bank statement 08
i. Other resources and assets 09
j. Rent or mortgage receipt 10
k. Utility bills 11
1. Medical bills 12
m. Dependent care/child care expenses 13
n. Notice of job termination 14
o. Proof of work registration 15
p. Other (SPECIFY) . 16
12. What is the average length of the certification period for:
a. An expedited service case with postponed verification? . . I \ MONTHS
b. An expedited service case without postponed verification? I I MONTHS
c. A regular 30-day food stamp case? I I MONTHS
13. Is there a point prior to the certification interview at which applicants' expedited service entitlement is
determined?
Yes 1
No 2 PLEASE SKIP TO Q.17
14. In your experience, what percent of those initially screened as expedited service turn out not to be
entitled to expedited service?
PERCENT
15. In your experience, of cases screened as being entitled to expedited service, how many are found to be
entirely ineligible for food stamps at the certification interview?
I I PERCENT
16. In your experience, what percent of expedited service clients are found to be entitled to expedited service
only at the time of the certification interview?
I PERCENT
A-23
Issues in Processing Expedited Service Clients
17. Please read the following list of problem areas in processing expedited service clients.
Rank the three most serious problems that you deal with in carrying out your duties with Problem 1 being
the most serious problem.
LETTER
(1) Most serious problem
(2) Second most serious problem
(3) Third most serious problem .
a. Meeting 5 calendar day processing standard
b. Arranging schedule to handle the necessary expedited service interviews each
day
c. Expedited service applicants failing to appear for certification interview
d. Approved expedited service applicants failing to pick up first month's benefits
e. Difficulty determining whether applicants meet expedited service criteria
Applicants intentionally misrepresenting circumstances to appear entitled to
expedited service
g Applicants not in urgent need of emergency assistance receiving expedited
service processing
Applicants in urgent need of food assistance not receiving expedited service
processing under current rules
Difficulty moving between rules for processing regular and expedited service
cases
J Postponed verification making verification process more complicated
k. Joint processing of expedited service cases also applying for AFDC
Applicants to be screened or interviewed waiting too long in the office
m. Prorated benefits not being sufficient to meet food needs
Many applicants being entitled to expedited service receiving benefits for only
one month suggesting that they are not in need of emergency assistance
Households receiving benefits in more than one county or service area within the
same month
Applicants qualifying for expedited service failing to bring verification due to
complicated application forms
Other problem (SPECIFY)
A-24
18. In your opinion, what percent of applicants who receive expedited service processing are in urgent need
of benefits within 5 days? IF YOU DO NOTHANDLE A PARTICULAR GROUP, PLEASE WRITE "NA" ON
THE PERCENT UNE.
Criteria for For each criterion: If your answer is not 100%, please
Expedited Service Percent in explain your answer.
urgent need
Homeless, in shelter %
Homeless, temporarily in
friend's or relative's house
Homeless, outdoors or %
indoors in a space not
designed for sleeping
Migrant/seasonal farm %
worker
Shelter expenses exceed %
income and liquid
resources
Income/assets below %
guidelines
19. In your opinion, about what percent of applicant households know about the expedited service provisions
of the Food Stamp Program?
I I PERCENT
Policy and Procedural Changes
20. In your opinion, is there a need for expedited service in the Food Stamp Program?
Yes 1
No 2
Please explain your answer.
A-25
n
21. Within Federal regulations, what changes would improve expedited service processing in your office?
PLEASE CIRCLE THE CODES FOR "YES" OR "NO" FOR EACH ITEM. FOR EACH "YES" PLEASE
EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER ON THE LINES PROVIDED.
a. Additional staff
Yes 1
No 2
If "YES": What type of staff are needed?
b. Additional staff training
Yes 1
No 2
If "YES": What kind of training would be most useful?
c. Additional assistance or information on expedited service provided to clients to help them complete their part
of the process (for example, provide a hotline or help with verification)
Yes 1
No 2
If "YES": What assistance or information would be helpful to clients?
d. An automated system for tracking applications
Yes 1
No 2
Already have one 8
e. Other changes (SPECIFY)
A-26
22. If you could make one change in Federal expedited service policy or procedures, what would it be?
Please explain why you would make this change.
23. People have suggested many kinds of changes to the Federal rules for expedited service. What do you
think about each one of these suggested changes? PLEASE CIRCLE THE CODES FOR "YES" OR "NO"
FOR EACH ITEM. WHERE INDICATED BY THE SHADED BOXES, PLEASE WRITE YOUR ANSWER.
YES NO
A. Modify the 5 calendar day standard by:
a. Extending it to 7 calendar days 1 2
b. Changing it to 5 working days 1 2
c. Returning to a 3 working-day rule 1 2
d. Having more Federal guidelines for extending
the deadline on a case-by-case basis... for
example, if a client misses an interview
1 2 If "YES": Far wfcal types of ■*■»■»« mkl >~
like to m titmOom pcnnMcd?
e. Would you like to see any other change to the
current standard?
1 2 IF "YES". SPECIFY:
B. Eliminate any of the following expedited service
entitlement criteria entirely:
a. Homeless 2
b. Migrant and seasonal farmworker 2
c. Shelter expenses exceed income and liquid
resources
2
d. Gross income (<$150) and asset (<$100) levels 2
C. Broaden the expedited service entitlement criteria to
include another household category
2 IF "YES": Will category?
A-27
YES NO
D. Make the following changes in the program
definition of "homeless":
a. Do not define as "homeless" persons in shelters
or institutions that provide meals.
1 2
b. Restrict the definition of "temporary" for
persons living temporarily in the residence of
another individual.
1 2 If-YES": Wk»l tjr* of Uox knoit raid TO. ■van
1 1 MONTHS
c. For persons living temporarily in the residence
of another individual, limit eligibility to persons
living temDorarilv with a nonfamilv member.
1 2
d. Would vou expand the definition of "homeless"
in any way?
1 2 IF "YES": In what wiy?
e. Would you change anything (else) about the
program definition of "homeless"?
1 2 IF "YES": SPECIFY
E. Change the $150 gross income limit for expedited
service to some other amount
1 2 IF "YES": To wfcal amoanr?
F. Change the $100 asset limit for expedited service to
some other amount
1 2 IF "YES": To wkai IMIT
G. Tie income and assets limits to family size 1 2
H. Eliminate postponed verification entirely. That is,
require that all verification be completed prior to
issuing the first month's benefits
1 2
I. Do not eliminate postponed verification entirely,
but require that items in addition to identification
be verified prior to issuing the first month's
benefits
1 2 IF "YES": What oddlo.n.1 Mtim ahoaU bt
»—ilT
J. Eliminate the requirement to verify identity 1 2
A-28
YES NO
K. Other 1 2 SPECIFY
L. Other 1 2 SPECIFY
24. Would you like to raise any other issue about expedited service that we haven't covered and that you
feel is important?
YES
NO
12
IF "YES": Please explain.
Thank you for your help with
this survey!
A-29
BLANK PAGE
33
State Agency Interview Guide
Section 1: Expedited Service Population
Size and Characteristics of the Expedited Service Caseload
1.1 What percent of the households applying for food stamps currently receive expedited
service?
1.2 Has the number of food stamp applications in the state changed over the past two years?
YES, INCREASE 1
YES, DECREASE 2
NO (GO TO 1.3) 3
• How has it changed? By what percent? %
1.3 Over the past two years, has the percent of applicant households receiving expedited
service changed?
YES, INCREASE 1
YES, DECREASE 2
NO (GO TO 1.4) 3
• How has it changed? By what percent? %
A-31
1.4 Does the number of food stamp applications vary during the course of the year? For
instance, does it vary seasonally?
YES 1
NO (GO TO 1.5) 2
• When and by how much does it vary? (In what months or seasons? By what
percent?)
• Why do these variations occur?
• Are there seasonal variations because of migrant worker circumstances?
1.5 Does the percent of food stamp applicant households receiving expedited service vary
during the course of the year? For instance, does it vary seasonally?
YES 1
NO (GO TO 1.6) 2
• When and by how much does it vary? (In what months or seasons?)
• Are there seasonal patterns related to the homeless? to other groups?
• Why do these variations occur?
A-32
1.6 Does the percent of applicant households receiving expedited service in (SAMPLED
OFFICES) differ from the statewide average?
YES
NO
1
Describe differences by site
1.7 How would you describe the characteristics of the expedited service population in this
state? For instance, . . .
Yes No
a)
b)
c)
d)
c)
i)
g)
h)
Do expedited service households tend to be
younger than the average food stamp
applicant household?
Do expedited service households tend to be
older than the average applicant household?
Do more individuals than families with children
receive expedited service?
Do households receiving expedited service tend
more often to be female-headed households? .
Do expedited service households tend to be
unemployed rather than employed?
Are there more expedited service households
applying simultaneously for public assistance than
there are applying for food stamps only?
Are expedited service households in this state
predominantly homeless?
Are there any other ways in which you would
characterize the expedited service population
in this state?
IF "YES": Please describe.
A-33
a) Is there a "typical" type of expedited service case?
YES 1
NO 2
• IF "YES": What are the characteristics of the "typical" expedited service case?
1.8 Is the information you have provided based to some degree on data from automated
information systems or internal studies, or is it based entirely on staff observations and
experience?
DATA FROM SYSTEMS/STUDIES .... 1
STAFF OBSERVATIONS/
EXPERIENCE (GO TO 1.9)
a) What data have you used in providing these answers? What year(s) do(es) these
data cover? PROBE FOR DATA SOURCES AND YEARS REPORTED.
b) In your opinion, how accurate or .eliable are these data? (Please explain your
answer.)
A-34
Factors Affecting the Expedited Service Caseload
1.9 How would you characterize the economic climate in your State?
• Is your State's economy healthier or less healthy than that of the rest of the
country? Explain.
• What are the major types of industries or employers in the State?
In these next questions, let's focus on events that have occurred within the past two years.
1.10 a) Within the past two years, how has the economic climate changed? In general,
has the economic climate . . .
improved, 1
stayed the same, or 2
has it deteriorated? 3
Yes No
b) Within the past two years . . .
(1) Have there been any major plant closings? 1 2
(2) Have any major employers laid off
large numbers of workers? 1 2
(3) Have any new businesses opened or
relocated here? 1 2
(4) Have any major employers expanded
the size of their work force? 1 2
c) Given what you've just told me, has there been an overall increase or decrease
in the number of jobs, or has there been no change in the past two years?
INCREASE 1
DECREASE 2
NO CHANGE 3
A-35
1.11 a) Within the past two years, has there been an increase or decrease in the size of
the homeless population?
INCREASE 1
DECREASE 2
NO CHANGE 3
b) Has there been an influx of new low-income residents?
YES 1
NO 2
c) Has there been an increase in the number of migrant or seasonal frumworkers?
YES 1
NO 2
d) Within the past two years, have there been (other) changes in sjze of or type of
people who make up the area's low-income population?
YES 1
NO 2
IF "YES": Please describe.
e) Has there been a change in the type of people applying for food stamps over the
past two years? For example, have you seen an increase in the number of
middle-class households applying for food stamps?
YES 1
NO (GO TO 1.12) 2
IF "YES": Describe.
A-36
1.12 In the past two years, have there been any changes in the coverage and benefit levels of
any of the following public assistance programs?
les No
a) AFDC/ADC? 1 2
IF "YES": Describe change.
b) General Assistance/General Relief/Home Relief? 1 2
IF "YES": Describe change.
c) County or local welfare programs? 1 2
IF "YES": Describe change.
d) Other assistance programs? I 2
IF "YES": Specify and describe change.
A-37
1.13 Have these changes had an impact on the number of households eligible for expedited
service in your State?
• Describe.
1 14 Have (SAMPLED OFFICES) been affected, by any of the changes you've mentioned,
any more or less severely than have other areas of the State? If so. describe.
• Changes in economic climate
• Changes in population size or characteristics
• Changes in benefit levels for public assistance programs
A-38
Section 2: Expedited Service Procedures and Policies
2.1 Federal regulations provide minimum guidelines on identifying potential expedited service
applicants and procedures for verifying food stamp eligibility. I'd like to discuss how
you implement Federal rules for processing expedited service applicants through State
guidelines and procedures and how these guidelines and procedures might differ for
regularly-processed applicants.
Let's start with outreach and informational activities.
What, if anything, do you require local offices to do to inform applicants about the
availability of expedited service processing?
2.2 What guidelines has the State established for identifying expedited service cases? Are
there guidelines with respect to:
• how screening should be done?
For example, is there a separate pre-screening interview or separate
screening form?
YES 1
NO 2
• items specified for screening?
YES 1
NO 2
• tuning of screening?
YES 1
NO 2
A-39
who does screening?
YES 1
NO 2
For example, what type/level of employee performs screening?
Must these individuals have specific qualifications?
2.3 Are there State policies concerning how soon after an application is fded the certification
interview occurs?
YES 1
NO (GO TO 2.4) 2
• Is this rule different for regularly-processed applicants?
YES 1
NO 2
2.4 Now let's talk about verification. First, concerning verification activities for expedited
services cases . . .
a) Has the State established policies or procedures that routinely allow workers to
verify items in addition to identity (within the five-day processing period)?
YES 1
NO 2
IF "YES": Please explain.
A-40
b) Does the State provide guidelines specifying how workers should assist applicants
in providing postponed verification?
YES 1
NO 2
IF "YES": Please explain.
c) Are there State guidelines specifying how quickly workers should attempt to
complete verification?
YES 1
NO 2
IF "YES": Please explain.
d) What usually happens if verification is not complete 30 days after application?
Now, concerning verification for regularly processed cases . . .
e) What happens if verific?lion is not complete within 30 days after application?
Are there differences in the amount of assistance in obtaining verification that
local offices provide to expedited service cases versus regularly-processed cases?
YES
NO
1
IF "YES": Please explain.
A-41
2.5 a) What cross-checking of automated data bases is performed on all cases applying
for food stamps? (CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY)
• Review status of other program participation 1
• Receipt of food stamp benefits in another jurisdiction 2
• IEVS (Income Eligibility Verification System) 3
• Employment records 4
• Other 5
b) Which of these checks are attempted prior to issuing expedited service benefits?
(CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY)
• Review status of other program participation 1
• Receipt of food stamp benefits in another jurisdiction 2
• IEVS (Income Eligibility Verification System) 3
• Employment records 4
• Other 5
2.6 Is the process of determining eligibility and benefit amount partially or fully automated?
YES 1
NO 2
• Are there differences between the way expedited service and regular 30-day
applicants are handled?
YES 1
NO 2
2.7 What are the State guidelines regarding the length of the certification period...
• for regular issuance?
• for expedited service cases without postponed verification?
• for expedited service cases with postponed verification?
IF RANGES ARE GIVEN: What factors determine the length of the certification period?
A-42
2.8 These next questions pertain to expedited service cases that receive postponed
verification.
a) What steps are taken to help clients complete verification?
b) If cases are assigned one- or two-month certification periods, what are your
policies for helping recipients to become recertified?
c) When is the second application completed and filed?
d) If assigned normal certification periods, what is the mechanism for stopping the
second month's issuance if verification is not complete?
2.9 What guidelines does the State provide regarding how expedited service benefits are
issued in the first month? (For example, mail ATP coupons by the third day or issue
over-the-counter?)
• What systems are used in the State for issuing food stamps to expedited
service cases in the first month? (CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY)
ATP (mailed to client or to issuance point) 1
Coupons mailed to client 2
Over the counter (coupons issued directly to client at office
or at an issuance point) 3
EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) 4
Other (Describe) 6
A-43
2.10 What systems are used in this State to issue food stamps . . .
• during the first month, to regular 30-day clients?
ATP (mailed to client or to issuance point) . .
Coupons mailed to client
Over the counter (coupons issued directly to client at office
or at an issuance point)
EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer)
Other (Describe)
1
2
3
4
6
for issuance in subsequent months?
• ATP (mailed to client or to issuance point) 1
• Coupons mailed to client 2
• Over the counter (coupons issued directly to client at office
or at an issuance point) 3
• EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) 4
• Other (Describe) 6
2.11 Does the State have a staggered issuance schedule?
YES . .
NO . .
• Please describe this schedule.
1
2
A-44
2.12 I'd like to discuss areas in which State policies might go beyond Federal requirements
for expedited service.
a) Does State policy require a shorter time frame for processing expedited service
cases than Federal guidelines?
YES
NO
1
2
IF "YES": Describe.
b)
c)
Can any cases be designated for expedited service other than the four categories
specified in Federal regulations?
YES 1
NO 2
IF "YES": Describe.
Are there any other ways in which State and Federal policy differ?
YES 1
NO 2
IF "YES": Describe.
A-45
2.13 Does the State have a way to measure the percent of expedited service cases that actually
receive benefits within five calendar days?
YES 1
NO 2
• IF "YES": What mechanism is used to do this?
Is this done on a regular basis, as part of a standard monitoring
process?
YES 1
NO 2
What percent of expedited service clients receive benefits within
five calendar days? %
• IF "NO": What is your best estimate of the percent of expedited service
cases that receive benefits within five calendar days? %
A-46
Section 3: Issues in Expedited Service and Suggestions for Change
3.1 To what degree do the expedited service provisions of the Food Stamp Program succeed
in meeting the emergency food needs of low-income families?
Please answer on a scale from "1" to "5" where "1" means "not at all successful" and
"5" means "very successful."
Not at ail
successful
Very
successful
1
3.2 What do you see as the major strength of expedited service9 Please explain.
3.3 What do you see as the major problem with expedited service? Please explain.
A-47
3.4 Has the State made any changes in policies and procedures that have affected the way
local offices process expedited service cases, that have improved operations or service
delivery to clients?
(a) For example, has the State implemented procedures that increase the accuracy of
screening /
YES
NO (GO TO b)
IF "YES": Please describe any change and its effect.
1
2
(b) Has the State implemented procedures that resulted in more timely delivery of food
stamp benefits?
YES 1
NO (GO TO c) .
IF "YES": Please describe any change and its effect.
(c) Has the State implemented procedures aimed at reducing error or potential fraud?
YES 1
NO (GO TO d) 2
IF "YES": Please describe any change and its effect.
(d) Have there been any other changes that have resulted in improvements?
YES 1
NO (GO TO 3.5) 2
IF "YES": Please describe any change and its effect.
A-48
3.5 Are there any other aspects of application processing procedures that make expedited
service work well? Please describe.
3.6 Within current Federal regulations, what changes in policies, procedures for
implementing expedited service, and allocating of resources to local offices would you
like to implement in order to improve expedited service processing? Would you like to
see . . .
a) additional staff? YES 1
NO (GO TO b) 2
(1) What type of staff are needed?
b) additional staff training? YES 1
NO (GO TO c) 2
(1) What kind of training would be useful?
c) additional assistance or information on expedited service to clients to help them
complete their part of the process (for example, provide a hotline or assistance with
verification)?
YES 1
NO (GO TO d)
(1) What assistance or information would be helpful to clients?
A-49
d) an automated system for tracking applications?
YES 1
NO (GO TO e) 2
ALREADY HAVE THIS 3
e) What other things could you do?
Other (specify).
Other (specify).
3.7 If you could make one change in Federal expedited service policy or procedures, what
would it be? Please explain why you would make this change.
A-50
3.8 The State officials who responded to the December 1991 FNS survey on expedited
service suggested many kinds of change 'o the Federal rules for expedited service. I'm
going to read you a list of suggested cr ges. Please tell me whether or not you would
tike to see the change made. CIRCLE "YES" OR "NO" FOR EACH ITEM.
Yes No.
(a) Modify the 5 calendar-day standard by:
(1) Extending it to 7 calendar days 1 2
(2) Change it to 5 working days 1 2
(3) Return to a 3 working-day rule 1 2
(4) Have more Federal guidelines for extending the
deadline on a case-by-case basis. . . for example,
if a client misses an interview 1 2
IF "YES": For what types of situations would you
like to see extensions permitted?
(5) Would you like to see any other change to the
current standard? IF "YES", SPECIFY: . . .
(b) Eliminate any of the following expedited service entitlement
criteria entirely:
(1) Homeless
(2) Migrant and seasonal farmworker
(3) Shelter expeuses exceed income and liquid resources . .
(4) Gross income (<$150) and asset (<.$100) levels . . . .
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
A-51
Yes No
(c) Broaden the expedited service entitlement criteria to
include another household category
IF "YES": What category'7
(d) Make the following changes in the program definition of "homeless":
(1) Do not define as "homeless" persons in shelters
or institutions that provide meals 1 2
(2) Restrict the definition of "temporary" for persons living
temporarily in the residence of another individual 1 2
IF "YES": What type of time limit would you suggest?
Months
(3) For persons living temporarily in the residence
of another individual, limit eligibility to
persons living temporarily with a nonfamily
member 1 2
(4) Would you expand the definition of "homeless" in
any way? 1 2
IF "YES". In what way?
(5) Would you change anything (else) about the program
definition of "homeless"?
IF "YES". SPECIFY:
(e) Change the $150 gross income limit for expedited service
to some other amount
IF "YES": To what amount? $
A-52
3.9
Yes No
(0 Change the SI00 asset limit for expedited service to
some other amount 1 2
IF "YES": To what amount? $
(g) Tie income and asset limits to family size 1 2
(h) Eliminate postponed verification entirely. . . that is,
require that all verification be completed prior to
issuing the first month's benefits 1 2
(i) Do not eliminate postponed verification entirely, but
require that items in addition to identification be
verified prior to issuing the first month's benefits 1 2
IF "YES": What additional items should be verified?
(j) Eliminate the requirement to verify identity 1 2
(k) Other (SPECIFY) 1 2
(1) Other (SPECIFY) 1 2
Would you like to raise any other issue that we haven't covered that you feel is
important?
YES 1
NO (GO TO SECTION 4) 2
a) IF "YES": Please explain.
A-53
Section 4: Study Site(s)
RESEARCHER: Repeat name(s) of study site(s)
4.1 Are there any particular features of the expedited service procedures in (this/these)
office(s) that are noteworthy or different than those of other offices in the State?
If so, explain.
A-54
OMB Number 0584-0444
Approval Expires: January 1995
Evaluation of Expedited Service
in the Food Stamp Program
LOCAL PUBLIC ASSISTANCE OFFICE DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR OF FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
INTAKE SUPERVISOR
INTERVIEW
Conducted by:
Abt Associates Inc.
101 North Wacker Drive
Suite 400
Chicago. Illinois 60606
SITE
DATES OF INTERVIEW
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
INTERVIEWER ID
A-55
SECTION 1: ORGANIZATION AND STAFFING
1. I'd like to discuss how your staff is currently organized to administer the Food Stamp Program.
A. How are units arranged?
NUMBER OF UNITS FUNCTION
YES NO
B. Do different units or workers perform intake and
recertification?
1 2
C. Do different units or workers within units manage
PA and NPA/NA food stamp cases?
1 2
D. Do caseworkers certify clients for programs other
than food stamps (AFDC, Medicaid, other)? 1 2
E. Does this office have a unit that serves food stamp
applicants that are homeless?
'
1 2
2. Is there a specific unit or specialized workers that handle expedited service cases?
YES 1 ASK A
NO 2 SKIP TO Q.3
A. IF "YES": Does this unit handle...
PA cases only, 1
NPA/NA cases only, or 2
both PA and NPA/NA cases? 3
A-56
3. Does this office use volunteers ii> certifying households for food stamps?
YES
NO .
A. What is the role of volunteers? Do they ...
1 ASK A
2 SKIP TO Q.4
1 YES
NO
1. help applicants complete applications? 1 2
2. translate for clients? 1 2
3. screen applicants for expedited service
processing? 1 2
4. help with verification? 1 2
5. perform other roles?
IF "YES": Specify:
1 2
4. In total, how many eligibility workers for the Food Stamp Program do you have in this office?
(Please include eligibility workers at satellite offices or outposts that are connected to this office.)
I I NUMBER OF ELIGIBILITY WORKERS
A. How many work full time?
I NUMBER OF FULL-TIME
B. How many work part time?
I I NUMBER OF PART-TIME IF "ZERO," GO TO 5
A-57
C. For those eligibility workers who are part time, on average, what percent of time do
they work?
I I PERCENT OF TIME WORKED
5. Describe the type and number of staff, both full- and part-time, that are involved in processing
food stamp applications.
Position # full time % of time spent
on initial
certification
activities
#
pan time
% of time
worked, on
average
9c of time
spent on initial
certification
activities
Supervisor of eligibility workers « %
9c
%
%
%
%
%
%
9c
Eligibility worker 9C 9c
Assistant eligibility worker * 9c
Clerk/Reteptionist % %
Data entry clerk 9r %
OTHER (specify)
* 9c
«- 9c
9r 9r
6. In the past two years, has there been either a hiring freeze or a reduction in the number of food
stamp staff in this office?
YES
NO .
1
2
APPLICANT KNOWLEDGE AND OFFICE OUTREACH
7. In your opinion, about what percent of applicants know about expedited service?
I I PERCENT OF APPLICANTS
A-58
8. Does your office conduct any type of outreach to potential food stamp recipients? (Outreach
might include posters, brochures, or public service announcements to alert potential clients to
the availability of services.)
YES 1 ASK A
NO 2 GOTO SECTION 2
A. IF "YES": Please describe these efforts.
9. Does your office conduct any type of outreach geared specifically to individuals or households
that might be entitled to expedited service processing?
YES 1 ASK A
NO 2 GOTO SECTION 2
A. IF "YES": Please describe these efforts.
A-59
SECTION 2: EXPEDITED SERVICE PROCEDURES AT INITIAL APPLICATION
10. Now I'd like to discuss the application process for expedited service applicants, from the client's
initial contact with the office and application to the Program, through the certification interview.
I hope first to get an overall view of the process, and then to discuss specific steps in this
process.
A. To begin, please tell me what happens when the client first enters the office. Does
the clients (CIRCLE ONE)
Complete an application form; 1
Complete a separate form that screens
for expedited service eligibility; 2
Have a screening interview; or
Move directly to the certification interview?
SHOW MODELS 1
& 2
SHOW MODELS 3, 4, A 5
SHOW MODELS 6
A 7
ASK
QUESTION IN
BOX BELOW
During the certification interview, is the application
completed and the expedited service status
determined?
YES.
NO
1 CODE "9" IN B. THEN
GO TO Q. 12
2 SHOW ALL MODELS
ASK R TO SELECT
THE APPROPRIATE
MODEL
B. Which of the following models most closely illustrates the process for handling expedited service
applicants in your office? (We will talk about any differences between this model and your
office's procedures in a moment.)
IF NO MODEL APPLIES, CODE "8" AND FILL IN THE BLANK BOXES IN
MODEL 8.
I MODEL NUMBER
A-60
Food Stamp Application Process
First Step:
Complete Application Form
>i
Complete
Application
Form
(as much as possible)
and File
Certification
Interview d)
Complete
Application
Form
(as much as possible)
and File
Screening
Interview/
Decision
Certification
Interview (2)
^/
Food Stamp Application Process
First Step:
Complete Screening Form
Applicant
.Enters Office;
Complete
Screening
Form and
File Application
Certification
Interview (3)
Complete
Screening
Form and
File Application
Screening
Interview/
Decision
Certification
Interview (4)
Applicant
.Enters Office;
Complete
Screening
Form and
File Application
Screening
Interview/
Decision
Complete
Application
Form
(as much as possible)
Certification
Interview (5)
C i.
Food Stamp Application Process
First Step:
Screening Interview or Decision
Applicant
Enters Office;
ON
Screening
Interview/
Decision
File
Application
Form
Certification
Interview
(6)
Applicant
.Enters Office;
Screening
Interview/
Decision
Complete
Application
Form
(as much as possible)
and File
Certification
Interview (7)
■tfT
11. I'll be asking more specific questions about the application process in a moment; but first, I'd
like you to describe any differences or variations between your procedures and those illustrated
in this model.
12. Is this process the same for regular 30-day applicants?
YES
NO .
1
ASK A
A. Which model most closely represents the process for regular applicants?
I I MODEL NUMBER
Let's talk more specifically about the application process and expedited service.
INTERVIEWER CHECK:
Does this office screen applicants for expedited service entitlement prior to the certification interview?
YES
NO
1 SKIP TO Q.I3
2 SKIP TO Q.15
13. First, let's talk about screening for expedited service.
A. Who conducts the screening?
SUPERVISOR
ELIGIBILITY WORKER
ASSISTANT ELIGIBILITY WORKER
CLERK
01
02
03
, #. 04
RECEPTIONIST 05
VOLUNTEER 06
OTHER (SPECIFY) 07
B. When does screening take place?
A-65
C. How is it done?
D. Does the person who conducts the screening ask questions related to all four
expedited service criteria?
YES 1
NO 2
DON'T KNOW 8
E. FOR OFFICES USING A SEPARATE SCREENING FORM (MODELS 3-5):
Do all applicants complete the screening form?
YES 1 SKIP TO Q.14
NO 2
IF "NO": Why don't a|[ applicants complete the screening form?
14. In general, how accurate is the screening of expedited service clients?
A. What percent of those initially screened as expedited service turn out not to be
entitled to expedited service?
I I PERCENT
When is this discrepancy discovered?
B. Of cases screened as being entitled to expedited service, how many are found to be
ineligible for food stamps at the certification interview?
I I PERCENT
A-66
C. What percent of expedited service clients are found to be entitled to this service only
at the time of the certification interview?
I I PERCENT
For what reasons does this happen?
COMPLETING THE APPLICATION FORM
15. In most cases, who actually fills out the application form -- the applicant or the eligibility
worker?
APPLICANT 1
ELIGIBILrTY WORKER 2
BOTH 3
CERTIFICATION INTERVIEW
16. Who usually conducts the certification interview?
SUPERVISOR 1
ELIGIBILrTY WORKER 2
ASSISTANT ELIGIBILrTY WORKER 3
OTHER (SPECIFY) 4
17. Is the certification interview conducted fully or partially using a computer?
YES 1
NO 2
18. How many days after the expedited service client first visits the office does the certification
interview usually take place?
I I NUMBER OF DAYS
OR
SAME DAY
A-67
VERIFICATION
19. What percent of expedited service applicants have postponed verification ... that is, all
verification is not provided until after first issuance?
I I PERCENT POSTPONED VERIFICATION
A. What percent of these cases provide the required information within the allowable
timeframe (that is, 30 or 60 days)?
I I PERCENT
B. What verification items are most likely to be missing after the allowable 30 or 60
days? CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY.
01 Personal identification
02 Social Security number or card
03 Proof of address
04 Alien status
05 Earned income
06 Unearned income
07 Vehicle ownership
08 Bank statement
09 Other resources and assets (SPECIFY)
10 Rent
11 Utility bills
12 Medical bills
13 Dependent care/child care expenses
14 Notice of job termination
15 Proof of work registration
16 OTHER (SPECIFY)
17 OTHER (SPECIFY)
18 OTHER (SPECIFY)
ELIGIBILITY AND BENEFIT DETERMINATION
20. How is eligibility and the amount of the food stamp benefit determined for expedited service
cases? Is it-.
calculated by hand, or 1
is it automated? 2
A. Is the process different for subsequent months?
No, not different 1 QQ JQ QJJ
Yes, subsequent months* automated 2 ASK B
Yes, subsequent months' calculated by hand 3 ASK B
A-68
B. IF "YES": How is it done?
21. What steps in expedited service processing do supervisors review? CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY.
Expedited service criteria 1
Benefit amount 2
Verification 3
OTHER (SPECIFY) 4
A. Does this review take place before or after benefits are issued?
BEFORE 1
AFTER 2
B. Which eligibility workers are reviewed? It is ...
new workers only, or 1
all eligibility workers? 2
22. How long is the food stamp certification period for...
A. regular 30-day applicants?
I I MONTHS
B. expedited service cases with postponed verification?
I I MONTHS
C. expedited service cases without postponed verification?
I I MONTHS
A-69
23. IF A RANGE OF TIME PERIODS IS CHED FOR ErTHER REGULAR OR EXPEDrTED SERVICE
CERTIFICATION PERIODS: What factors are considered when defining the length of the
certification period?
Stability of the household's situation 1
Type of case 2
Other (SPECIFY) 3
OTHER APPLICATION PROCESSING ISSUES
24. Do any of the application procedures we've just discussed differ depending on the applicant's
expedited service eligibility criteria? For example, are procedures different for homeless
applicants?
YES 1 ASK A
NO 2 SKIP TO Q.25
A. IF "YES": Please describe them.
A-70
25. Do expedited service policies and procedures in this office go beyond the guidelines established
by the State in any of the following areas?
YES NO
A. Time frame for providing benefits
IF "YES": Describe differences 1 2
B. Verification requirements and timeframe for completing verification
IF "YES": Describe differences 1 2
C. Other difference (SPECIFY)
IF "YES": Describe differences 1 2
D. Other difference (SPECIFY)
IF "YES": Describe differences 1 2
E. Other changes (SPECIFY)
IF "YES": Describe differences 1 2
A-71
26. Do the procedures we have discussed in the preceding questions differ from those for regularly-processed
food stamp applicants (apart from verification requirements)?
YES 1 ASKA-D
N0 2 GOTO SECTION 3
IF "YES":
A. Do screening procedures differ for regularly-processed applicants?
IF "YES": How do they differ?
B. Do procedures for conducting the certification interview differ from regularly-processed
applicants?
IF "YES": How do they differ?
For regularly-processed applicants, how many days after submitting an
application are certification interviews generally scheduled?
I I NUMBER OF DAYS
C. Apart from requirements, do verification procedures differ from regularly-processed
applicants?
IF "YES": How do they differ?
D. Do procedures for determining eligibility for food stamps and benefit
determination differ for regularly-processed applicants?
IF "YES": How do they differ?
YES NO
A-72
SECTION 3: FOOD STAMP ISSUANCE
27. How are the first month's food stamps issued to expedited service clients?
ATP (MAILED TO CLIENT OR ISSUANCE POINT) . 1
COUPONS MAILED TO CLIENT 2
OVER THE COUNTER (COUPONS ISSUED DIRECTLY
TO CLIENT AT OFFICE OR ISSUANCE POINT) . . 3
EBT (ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER) 4
OTHER (DESCRIBE BELOW) 5
28. How are food stamp benefits issued for the first time to regularly-processed applicants?o
ATP (MAILED TO CLIENT OR ISSUANCE POINT) . 1
COUPONS MAILED TO CLIENT 2
OVER THE COUNTER (COUPONS ISSUED DIRECTLY
TO CLIENT AT OFFICE OR ISSUANCE POINT) . . 3
EBT (ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER) 4
OTHER (DESCRIBE BELOW) 5
29. How are food stamp benefits issued after the first month?
ATP (MAILED TO CLIENT OR ISSUANCE POINT) . 1
COUPONS MAILED TO CLIENT . 2
OVER THE COUNTER (COUPONS ISSUED DIRECTLY
TO CLIENT AT OFFICE OR ISSUANCE POINT) . . 3
EBT (ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER) 4
OTHER (DESCRIBE BELOW) 5
30. Apart from what we just discussed, are there any (other) differences in issuance procedures?
For instance,
A. Is issuance for expedited service clients done manually?
YES I
NO 2
A-73
it. Are there differences in procedures depending on expedited service criteria (e.g., for
homeless clients, other clients)?
YES 1
NO 2
IF "YES": Please describe them.
31. Does this office have a staggered issuance schedule?
YES 1 ASK A
NO 2 SKIP TO Q.32
A. Please describe this schedule.
32. How often is it a problem that expedited service applicants do not pick up or cash their benefits?
A-74
SECTION 4: NUMBER OF EXPEDITED SERVICE APPLICANTS
33. What was the total food stamp caseload in this office in June 1993?
I I NUMBER OF CASES
34. A. How many applications for food stamps -- both NPA/NA and PA - were taken in
this office in June 1993? (Include applications taken in main office and any sub
offices and outposts, if applicable.)
I I NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS
B. How many food stamp applications were approved in June 1993?
I I NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS
35. Does the total number of food stamp applicant households in this office - both regular 30-day
and expedited service -- vary during the course of the year? For instance, does it vary
seasonally?
YES 1
NO 2 SKIP TO Q.36
A. When and by how much does it vary? (In what months or seasons? By what
percent?)
Why do these variations occur?
B. Are there seasonal variations because of migrant worker circumstances?
YES 1
NO 2
A-75
36. Approximately what percentage of all initial applicant households in this office currently receive
expedited service processing?
I I PERCENT
A. What percent of households applying for food stamps only currently receive
expedited service?
I I PERCENT
B. What percent of households applying forAFDC and other public assistance currently
receive expedited processing for food stamps?
I I PERCENT
37. A. Approximately what percent of all expedited service households in this office are
homeless?
I I PERCENT
B. Approximately what percent of all expedited service households are destitute migrant
or seasonal farm workers?
I I PERCENT
38. Does the percent of food stamp applicant households receiving expedited service vary during the
year in this office?
YES 1 ASKA&B
NO 2 SKIP TO Q.39
A. When and by how much does it vary? (In what months or seasons? By what
percent?)
Why do these variations occur?
A-76
B. Are there seasonal patterns i Hated to the homeless? to other groups?
39. Has the percent of expedited service cases changed over the last two years?
YES 1 ASK A
NO 2 SKIP TO Q.40
A. How has it changed?
40. Does this office have a higher or lower proportion of expedited service cases than other offices
in the State, or is it about the same proportion?
HIGHER 1 ASK A
LOWER 2 ASK A
SAME 3 SKIP TO Q.41
DON'T KNOW 8 SKIP TO Q.4I
A. What factors account for the difference?
41. Is the information you have provided concerning the numbers of expedited service applicants
based to some degree on data from automated information systems or internal studies, or is it
based entirely on staff observations and experience?
DATA FROM SYSTEMS/STUDIES 1 ASK A&B
STAFF OBSERVATIONS/EXPERIENCE 2 SKIP TO Q.42
A. What data have you used in providing these answers? What year(s) do(es) these
data cover? PROBE FOR DATA SOURCES AND YEARS REPORTED.
A-77
B. In your opinion, how accurate or reliable are these data? (Please explain your
answer.)
42. How would you describe the characteristics of the expedited service population in this office?
For instance,...
YES NO
A. Do expedited service households tend to be younger than the average food stamp
applicant household? 2
B. Do expedited service households tend to be older than the average applicant
household? 2
C. Do more individuals than families with children receive expedited service? 2
D. Do households receiving expedited service tend more often to be female-headed
households? 2
E. Do expedited service households tend to be unemployed rather than employed? 2
F. Are there more expedited service households applying simultaneously for public
assistance than there are applying for food stamps only? 2
G. Are expedited service households in this office predominantly homeless? 2
H. Are there any other ways in which you would characterize the expedited service
population in this office?
IF "YES": Please describe.
1 2
A-78
43. Is there a "typical" type of expedited service case?
YES 1 ASK A
NO 2 SKIP TO Q.44
IF "YES": What are the characteristics of the "typical" expedited service case?
44. Does this office have a way to measure the percent of expedited service cases that actually
receive benefits within five calendar days?
YES 1 ASKA-C
NO 2 ASK D
A. // "YES": What mechanism is used to do this?
B. Do you monitor this on a regular basis?
YES 1
NO 2
C. What percent of expedited service clients receive benefits within five calendar days?
I I PERCENT SKIPTOQ.45
D. IF "NO": What is your best estimate of the percent of expedited service clients that
receive benefits within five calendar days?
I I PERCENT
45. Are there any situations in which the five day period begins earlier than the date the application
is filed?
YES 1 ASK A
NO 2 GOTO SECTION 5
A. // "YES": Under what circumstances does this happen?
A-79
SECTION 5: FACTORS AFFECTING THE SIZE OF THE EXPEDITED SERVICE POPULATION
46. What types of employment form the economic base in the area served by your office? For
instance, what are the major types of industries and businesses in the area? How do most
people make a living?
47. How would you characterize the economic climate in your service area? In general, is your area
better off, worse off, or about the same as the rest of the state?
BETTER 1
WORSE 2
SAME 3 SKIP TO Q.48
In these next questions, let's focus on events that have occurred within the past two years.
48. A. Within the past two years, how has the economic climate changed? In general, has the
economic climate .. .
improved 1
stayed the same, or 2
has it deteriorated? 3
YES NO
B. Within the past two years
1. Have there been any major plant closings? 1 2
2. Have any major employers laid off large numbers of workers? 1 2
3. Ha ve any new business opened or relocated here? 1 2
4. Have any major employers expanded the size of their work force? 1 2
A-80
C. Given what you've just told me, has there been an overall increase or decrease in the
number of jo^s, or has there been no change in the past two years?
INCREASE 1
DECREASE 2
NO CHANGE 3
49. A. Within the past two years, has there been an increase or decrease in the size of the
homeless population?
INCREASE 1
DECREASE 2
NO CHANGE 3
B. Has there been an influx of new low-income residents?
YES 1
NO 2
C. Has there been an increase in the number of migrant or seasonal farm workers?
YES 1
NO 2
D. Within the past two years, have there been (other) changes in size of or type of
people who make up the area's low-income population?
YES 1
NO 2
IF "YES": Please describe.
A-81
E. Has there been a change in the type of people applying for food stamps over the past
two years? For example, have you seen an increase in the number of middle-class
households applying for food stamps?
YES
NO
1
2 SKIP TO Q.50
IF "YES": Please describe.
50. In the past two years, have there been any changes in the coverage and benefit levels of any of
the following public assistance programs?
A. AFDC/ADC?
IF "YES": Please describe the change
B. General Assistance/General Relief/Home Relief?
IF "YES": Please describe the change
C. County or local welfare programs?
IF "YES": Please describe the change
D. Other assistance programs? (SPECIFY)
IF "YES": Please describe the change
YES NO
A-82
SECTION 6: ISSUES IN EXPEDITED SERVICE AND SUGGESTIONS FOR CHANGE
51. To what degree do the expedited service provisions of the Food Stamp Program succeed in
meeting the emergency food needs of low-income families? Please answer on a scale from "1"
to "5" where "1" means "not at all successful" and "5" means "very successful."
NOT AT ALL SUCCESSFUL 12
34
VERY SUCCESSFUL 5
52. What do you see as the major strength of expedited service? Please explain.
53. What do you see as the major problem with expedited service? Please explain.
A-83
54. Now I'd like to ask you how you feel about a variety of expedited service issues.
I'm going to read a list of issues that some people have raised. I'd like you to tell me, based on
your experience in this office, whether or not you consider any issue to be a problem. In
answering, please think in terms of a scale from "1" to "5," in which "1" means that this is not
a problem, and "5" is a major problem.
Not a
Problem
Major
Problem
a. Meeting the 5 calendar day processing 1
standard
b. Arranging schedule to handle the necessary 1
expedited service interviews each day
c. Expedited service applicants failing to 1
appear for certification interview
d. Approved expedited service applicants
failing to pick up first month's benefits
e. Difficulty determining whether applicants 1
meet expedited service criteria
f. Applicants intentionally misrepresenting 1
circumstances to appear entitled to
expedited service
g. Applicants not in urgent need of emergency 1
assistance receiving expedited service
processing
h. Applicants in urgent need of food assistance 1
not receiving expedited service processing
under current rules
i. Difficulty moving between rules for 1
processing regular and expedited service
cases
j. Postponed verification making verification 1
process more complicated
k. Joint processing of expedited service cases 1
also applying for AFDC
I. Applicants to be screened or interviewed 1
waiting too long in the office
m. Prorated benefits not being sufficient to 1
meet food needs
n. Many applicants being entitled to expedited 1
service receiving benefits for only one
month suggesting that they are not in need
of emergency assistance
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
A-84
Not a
Problem
Major
Problem
o. Households receiving benefits in more than
one county or service area within the same
month
p. Applicants qualifying for expedited service
failing to bring verification due to
complicated application forms
q. Other problem (SPECIFY)
1
55. Has your office made any changes in the way you process expedited service cases that has
improved your operations or service delivery to clients?
A. For example, have you implemented procedures that increase the accuracy of
screening?
YES
NO .
12
GOTOB
IF "YES": Please describe any change and its effect
B. Have you implemented procedures that resulted in more timely delivery of food
stamp benefits?
YES
NO .
12
GOTOC
IF "YES": Please describe any change and its effect.
A-85
C. Have you implemented procedures that have increased the overall efficiency of
expedited service operations?
YES 1
NO 2 GO TOD
IF "YES": Please describe any change and its effect.
D. Have you implemented procedures aimed at reducing error or potential fraud?
YES 1
NO 2 GO TOE
IF "YES": Please describe any change and its effect.
E. Have you made any other changes that have resulted in improvements?
YES 1
NO 2 SKIP TO Q.S6
IF "YES": Please describe any change and its effect.
56. Are there any other aspects of your application processing procedures that make expedited
service work well? Please describe.
A-86
57. Now I'd like to talk about possible actions that you would like to undertake in this office in
order to improve expedited service processing. Would you like to ...
A. Additional staff
YES
NO .
12
If "YES": What type of staff are needed?
B. Additional staff training
YES
NO .
12
IF "YES": What kind of training would be most useful?
C. Additional assistance or information on expedited service provided to clients to help them
complete their part of the process (for example, provide a hotline or help with verification)
YES
NO .
1
2
IF "YES": What assistance or information would be helpful to clients?
D. An automated system for tracking applications
YES 1
NO 2
ALREADY HAVE ONE 8
E. Other changes (SPECIFY)
A-87
58. If you could make one change in Federal expedited service policy or procedures, what would it
be? Please explain why you would make this change.
59. People have suggested many kinds of changes to the Federal rules for expedited service. What
do you think about each one of these suggested changes? CIRCLE "YES" OR "NO" FOR EACH
ITEM.
YES NO
A. Modify the 5 calendar day standard by:
a. Extending it to 7 calendar days 1 2
b. Changing it to 5 working days 1 2
c. Returning to a 3 working-day rule 1 2
d. Having more Federal guidelines for extending
the deadline on a case-by-case basis... for
example, if a client misses an interview
1 2
e. Would you like to see any other change to the
current standard?
1 2 n>-YES",sreajY:
B. Eliminate any of the following expedited service
entitlement criteria entirelv:
a. Homeless 2
b. Migrant and seasonal farm worker 2
c. Shelter expenses exceed income and liquid
resources
2
d. Gross income (<$150) and asset (<$100) levels 2
C. Broaden the expedited service entitlement criteria
to include another household category
2 IF "YES-: Wkat aUfr,*
A-88
YES NO
D. Make the following changes in the program
definition of "homeless":
a. Do not define as "homeless" persons in
shelters or institutions that provide meals.
1 2
b. Restrict the definition of "temporary" for
persons living temporarily in the residence of
another individual.
1 2 If "VET: WW tjrp. mt tmmt taM nU ;*•
L_J MONTHS
c. For persons living temporarily in the residence
of anther individual, limit eligibility to
persons living temporarily with a n mfamity
member.
1
•
2
d. Would vou expand the definition of
"homeless" in any way?
1 2 IF -TB-: lavtrtmj?
e. Would you change anything (else) about the
program definition of "homeless"?
1 2 IF TBS"! SPECIFY
E. Change the $150 gross income limit for expedited
service to some other amount
1 2 IF "TBS": T* wWi —Ml
F. • Change the $100 asset limit for expedited service
to some other amount
1 2 IF -YBS-I T. what mmmtt
G. Tie income and asset limits to family size 1 2
H. Eliminate postponed verification entirely. That is,
require that all verification be completed prior to
issuing the first month's benefits
1 2
1. Do not eliminate postponed verification entirely,
but require that items in addition to identification
be verified prior to issuing the first month's
benefits
1 2 IF "VES": WkM aUMaaal ton Mid tec
A-89
YES NO
J. Eliminate the requirement to verify identity. 1 2
K. OTHER 1 2 HI1SI
L. OTHER 1 2 SPECIFY
60. Would you like to raise any other issues that we have not covered that you feel is important?
YES
NO
1
2
IF "YES": Please explain.
A-90
SECTION 7: CASE PROCESSING TIMES
61. For each of the following steps in the application process, please estimate how many minutes,
on avera£e, it takes to handle a case in each of the following categories. Consider the time of
the worker who is mainly involved in this task.
A. Expedited Service, also applying for Public Assistance
1. Screening to determine expedited service entitlement
2. Certification interview (including scheduling the interview)
3. Verification activities that occur after the certification interview
4. Calculating food stamp eligibility and benefit amount
5. Activities to issue the initial food stamp benefit (i.e., filling in forms, coding,
6. OTHER (SPECIFY)
TOTAL TIME for section A.
FOR ITEMS "B" THROUGH "D", PLEASE REPORT TOTAL TIME ONLY. (IT MAY BE HELPFUL
TO REFER TO THE STEPS IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS LISTED ABOVE IN "A".)
B. Expedited service, food stamps only (total)
C. Regular 30-day, also applying for PA (total)
D. Regular 30-day, food stamps only (total)
A-91
62. If you were required to handle expedited service cases in the same way that you handle regular
30-day cases, would it take you more time, the same amount of time, or less time? PLEASE
CIRCLE ONE ANSWER AND EXPLAIN BELOW.
MORE TIME !
SAME AMOUNT OF TIME 2
LESS TIME 3
63. On average, how long does a recertification take for ...
A. an NPA/NA food stamp case?
I I MINUTES
B. a PA food stamp case?
I I MINUTES
Thank you for your assistance.
A-92
OMB Number 0584-0444
Approval Expires: January 1995
Evaluation of Expedited Service
in the Food Stamp Program
ADVOCACY GROUP REPRESENTATIVE
INTERVIEW
Conducted by:
Abt Associates Inc.
101 North Wacker Drive
Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60606
SITE
DATE OF INTERVIEW
INTERVIEWER ID
i
A-93
Section 1: Background and Institutional Relationships
1. What is your position with the organization?
DIRECTOR 1
ATTORNEY 2
PARALEGAL 3
NONLAWYER ADVOCATE 4
OUTREACH WORKER 5
OTHER (SPECIFY) 6
2. Now I'd like to ask you about the purpose and background of your organization.
A. What are your organization's major goals and activities?
B. What population does your organization serve?
C. What geographic area does it cover?
3. Now I'd like to ask you about the type of interaction and relations; up your organization has with the State
and local agencies responsible for administering the Food Stamp Program.
A. On what types of issues have you been in contact with (this agency/these agencies)?
B. How frequent is this contact with the food stamp agency?
C. What is the nature of the contact? For example, is it helpful, cooperative, or adversarial?
A-94
4. Does your organization help clients apply for food stamps?
YES '. 1
NO 2
5. Does anyone in your organization ever act as an authorized representative for food stamp
applicants?
YES 1
NO 2
6. Does your organization provide information about the Food Stamp Program to clients?
YES 1 ASK A
NO 2 GO TO Q. 8
A. Please describe this information and how it is provided.
7. Does your organization provide information on expedited service to clients?
YES 1 ASK A
NO 2 GO TO Q. 8
A. Please describe this information and how it is provided.
Section 2: Expedited Service Processing in the Local Office
Now I'd like to talk about how (LOCAL FOOD STAMP OFFICE NAME) provides expedited service benefits.
In answering this next question, please think about a scale from "1" to "5." where "1" is "not at all effective" and
"5" is "very effective." I'll also ask you to explain your answer.
8. How effective is the local office in identifying applicants that qualify for expedited service
processing?
Not at all effective 1
2
3
: 4
Very effective 5
A-95
A. Please explain your answer and the basis for your judgement.
9. For cases that have been identified as expedited service cases, how often does the local office issue
benefits within the five-day processing standard? Would you say.„
nearly all the time, 1
most of the time 2
some of the time, or 3
almost none of the time? 4
A. IF CODES 2, 3, OR 4: Why is it that this does not always happen? What is the basis for your
judgement?
10. Please think now about the four types of households that are entitled to expedited service processing:
the homeless, destitute migrant or seasonal farmworkers, those whose shelter expenses exceed
income, and those with income and assets below the guidelines.
Are there any differences in the accuracy with which any of these groups is identified or screened?
YES 1
NO 2 GOTOQ.U
DON'T KNOW 8 GOTO Q.ll
A. Which group(s) of households (is/are) more difficult for the local office to accurately identify
when they apply for benefits?
Homeless 1
Shelter expenses exceed income , 2
Migrant or seasonal farmworker 3
Below income or asset limits 4
B. Why is it difficult to accurately identify (this/these) group(s)?
A-96
11. Are there any differences in the local office's ability to deliver benefits within five calendar days to
the different groups entitled to expedited service?
YES 1
NO 2 GOTO Q.12
DON'T KNOW 8 GOTO Q.12
A. For which group(s) of households is it difficult for the local office to meet the five calendar
day standard?
Homeless 1
Shelter expenses exceed income 2
Migrant or seasonal farmworker 3
Below income or asset limits 4
B. Why is it difficult for (this/these) group(s)?
12. What aspects of the local office's application processing procedures make expedited service work
well? Please describe.
A-97
13. What problems and complaints do you receive from food stamp applicants with respect to expedited
service processing? CIRCLE ALL "PROBLEMS" THAT THE RESPONDENT MENTIONS. THEN,
FOR ITEMS NOT MENTIONED, ASK IF EACH IS A PROBLEM. FINALLY, PROBE FOR ANY
OTHER PROBLEMS
PROBLEM/COMPLAINT
YES,
MENTIONED
WITHOUT
PROMPTING
YES, WITH
PROMPTING NO
a. Applicants to be screened or interviewed waiting too long in
the office A 2 3
b. Applicants having to return to the office too many times
2 3
c. Applicants having trouble getting answers to their questions
2 3
d. Applicants for PA needing two separate applications or
interviews 2 3
e. Application form being too complicated
2 3
f. Applicants not being told about expedited service
2 3
g. Applicants not receiving expedited service benefits within five
days 2 3
h. Expedited service applicants being required to provide
verification other than identity to get first month's benefits 2 3
i. Verification requirements being complicated
2 3
j. Workers not telling applicants when verification items are due
2 3
k. • Screening procedures not being good
2 3
1. The office not having enough qualified staff
2 3
m. Prorated benefits not being sufficient to meet food needs
2 3
n. Other problem (SPECIFY)
2 3
o. Other problem (SPECIFY)
2 3
p. Other problem (SPECIFY)
2 3
A-98
14. Within Federal regulations, what changes would improve expedited service processing in the food
stamp office? DO NOT READ CATEGORIES. CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY, THEN ASK
FOLLOWUP ITEMS FOR EACH CIRCLED ITEM.
A. Additional staff
YES 1
NO 2
IF "YES": What type of staff are needed?
B. Additional staff training
YES 1
NO 2
IF "YES": What kind of training would be most useful?
C. Additional assistance or information on expedited service provided to clients to help them complete
their part of the process (for example, provide a hotline or help with verification)
YES 1
NO 2
IF "YES": What assistance or information would be helpful to clients?
D. An automated system for tracking applications
YES 1
NO 2
ALREADY HAVE ONE 8
E. Other changes (SPECIFY)
A-99
15. IF "YES" TO ANY CHANGE (A-E): In your opinion, what prevents the local office from
implementing (this change/these changes)?
16. Of the changes you have just discussed, which one is the most important? WRITE THE LETTER
THAT CORRESPONDS TO THE RESPONDENT'S ANSWER.
I I LETTER
Section 3: Issues in Expedited Service and Suggestions for Change
Let's talk more generally about expedited service policy.
17. To what degree do the expedited service provisions of the Food Stamp Program succeed in meeting
the emergency food needs of low-income families?
Please answer on a scale from "1" to "5" where "1" means "not at all successful" and "5" means
"very successful."
NOT AT ALL SUCCESSFUL 1
2
'. 3
4
VERY SUCCESSFUL 5
18. What do you see as the major strength of expedited service? Please explain.
A-100
19. What do you see as the major problem with expedited service? Please explain.
20. If you could make one change in Federal expedited service policy or procedures, what would it be?
Please explain why you would make this change.
21. People have suggested many kinds of changes to the Federal rules for expedited service. What do
you think about each one of these suggested changes? CIRCLE "YES" OR "NO" FOR EACH
ITEM.
YES NO
A. Modify the S calendar day standard by:
a. Extending it to 7 calendar days 1 2
b. Changing it to 5 working days 1 2
c. Returning to a 3 working-day rule 1 2
d. Having more Federal guidelines for extending
the deadline on a case-by-case basis... for
example, if a client misses an interview
1 2 If -YES- Fir ■» tyyq 1 U H wtmtt
e. Would you like to see any other change to the
current standard?
1 2 IF "VIS-, SPECIFY:
B. Eliminate any of the following expedited service
entitlement criteria entirely:
a. Homeless 1 2
b. Migrant and seasonal farmworker 1 2
A-101
YES NO
c. Shelter expenses exceed income and liquid
resources
1 2
d. Gross income (<$150) and asset (<$100) levels 1 2
C. Broaden the expedited service entitlement criteria to
include another household category
1 2 IF "YES": Waal catefary?
D. Make the following changes in the program
definition of "homeless":
a. Do not define as "homeless" persons in shelters
or institutions that provide meals.
1 2
b. Restrict the definition of "temporary" for
persons living temporarily in the residence of
another individual.
1 2 tf " YKS-: What t)ra« at tiaat HMM WMU •<■
1 1 MONTHS
c. For persons living temporarily in the residence
of another individual, limit eligibility to persons
living temporarily with a nonfamily member.
1 2
d. Would vou expand the definition of "homeless"
in any way?
1 2 IF "YES": la what way?
e. Would you change anything (else) about the
program definition of "homeless"?
1 2 IF "VES": SPECIFY
E. Change the $150 gross income limit for expedited
service to some other amount
1 2 IF "YES": To what aaaaaaf?
F. Change the $100 asset limit for expedited service to
some other amount
1 2 IF "VES": To what unommtr
G. Tie income and asset limits to family size 1 2
A-102
YES NO
H. Eliminate postponed verification entirely. That is,
require that all verification be completed prior to
issuing the first month's benefits
1 2
I. Do not eliminate postponed verification entirely,
but require that items in addition to identification
be verified prior to issuing the first month's
benefits
1 2 TtriOatt
J. Eliminate the requirement to verify identity 1 2
K. Other 1 2 spBcmr
L. Other 1 2 smart
22. Would you like to raise any other issue that we haven't covered that you feel is important?
YES
NO
12
IF "YES": PLEASE EXPLAIN.
Thank you for your assistance.
A-103
APPENDIX B
COMPARISONS TO 1987 STUDY
/o4
Appendix B: Comparisons to 1987 Study
Exhibit B.1
EXPEDITED CASES AS A PERCENTAGE OF APPROVED APPLICANTS.
BY OFFICE SIZE: 1987 STUDY VERSUS CURRENT STUDY
Expedited Cases as a Percentage of
Approved Applicants
February 1983 - May 1984"
Large (1,900 or more cases)
Moderate (660 to 1,899 cases)
Small (659 or fewer cases)
Total
Unweighted N
37.3*
26.2
25.2
34.0
2434
October 1991 - September 1992
Large (2,593 or more cases)
Medium (1,049 to 2,592 cases)
Small (300 to 1,048)
Total
Unweighted N
37.9
30.1
28.5
34.9
4497
August - September 1993
Large (2,593 or more cases)
Medium (1,049 to 2,592 cases)
Small (300 to 1,048)
Total
Unweighted N
44.2
43.6
31.7t
42.6
3695
8 1987 Study
• Significantly different from other subcategories at the 0.05 level.
t Significantly different from Large at the 0.05 level and from Medium at the 0.10 level.
Prepared by Abt Associates B-l
Appendix B: Comparisons to 1987 Study
Exhibit B.2
HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS OF APPROVED APPLICANTS,
EXPEDITED SERVICE CASES AND REGULAR CASES:
1987 STUDY VERSUS CURRENT STUDY
Feb. 1983 May 1984"
Oct. 1991 -Sept. 1992
and Aug - Sept. 1993
Expedited
Cases
Regular
Cases
Expedited
Cases
Regular
Cases
Mean amount:
Monthly gross income ($)
Liquid resources ($)
Monthly earned income ($)
Monthly unearned income ($)
Household size
Age of head
$51**
$9**
$22**
$29**
2.1**
32
$407
$65
$192
$216
3.0
37
$154***
$22***
$47***
$106***
1.9***
33***
$532
$96
$272
$258
2.6
36
Percentage of cases:
One-person households
With children
Female-headed with children
51.2**
39.3**
20.6
25.4
70.4
32.1
56.2***
38.0***
24.4***
32.7
60.8
32.9
Percentage of cases receiving:
Earnings
AFDC
Social Security
Unemployment compensation
12.2**
3.2**
0.9
2.5**
28.5
20.3
13.0
12.0
13.0***
9.3***
1.7***
3.6***
37.9
13.2
11.3
8.1
Unweighted N 1348 1086 5307 2885
1987 Study.
Significantly different from regular cases at the 0.05 level.
Significantly different from regular cases at the 0.01 level.
Prepared by Abt Associates B-2
APPENDIX C
COMPARISONS OF 1991-1992 AND 1993 SAMPLES
,01
Appendix C: Comparisons of 1991-1992 and 1993 Samples
Exhibit C.1
DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF APPROVED FOOD STAMP APPLICANTS:
EXPEDITED SERVICE VERSUS REGULARLY PROCESSED,
SEPARATELY FOR 1991-1992 AND 1993 SAMPLES
I October 1991-
September 1992 August-September 1993
Expedited Regularly- Expedited Regularly-
Service Processed Service Processed
Characteristics of Household Head
Gender
Male 44.2% 26.5% 45.9% 26.4%
Female 55.8 73.5 54.1 73.6
I Race
White 56.1% 54.3% 55.4% 56.9%
African American 31.5 32.1 31.0 25.4
Hispanic 10.1 11.9 10.8 14.5
Asian 0.8 0.4 0.5 1.4
American Indian 1.2 1.1 1.9 1.8
Other 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.0
Age—mean 33 36 33 36
<18 2.2% 2.4% 2.0% 2.3%
18-24 23.8 21.9 22.1 19.7
25-34 35.9 32.5 35.0 33.6
35-44 22.8 21.1 25.2 23.2
45-59 12.2 12.2 14.6 12.7
2:60 3.0 10.1 1.2 8.7
Marital status
Never married 40.9% 31.3% 46.3% 26.9%
Married 23.4 35.4 18.0 35.9
Divorced 15.6 13.4 17.5 16.0
Separated 17.9 13.3 16.3 15.7
Widowed 2.2 6.5 1.9 5.4
Disabled 8.7% 17.0% 7.7% 13.7%
Received food stamps previously 37.4% 45.3% 53.6% 50.9%
Received expedited service previously 15.2% 7.6% 29.7% 13.1%
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. C-l
10*
Appendix C: Comparisons of 1991-1992 and 1993 Samples
Exhibit C.1 (cont.)
October 1991-
September 1992 August-September 1993
Expedited Regularly- Expedited Regularly-
Service Processed Service Processed
Characteristics of Household
Size of household—mean 1.9 2.6 1.8 2.6
1 person 53.5% 32.9% 59.7% 32.4%
2 persons 21.8 21.3 18.3 22.8
3-4 persons 19.9 34.4 18.3 33.5
5 or more 5.0 11.4 3.6 11.2
Household composition
Single person, no children8 50.5% 31.5% 57.3% 30.0%
Single parent with children 28.3 34.3 25.4 35.2
Married couple/parents with children 8.4 20.6 7.4 20.7
Multiple adults, without children 3.5 2.6 3.3 2.6
Multiple adults, with children 3.1 5.5 3.2 5.4
Married couple without children 4.0 3.8 2.5 4.6
Other 2.2 1.8 1.0 1.5
Female-headed with children 25.9% 33.0% 22.6% 32.8%
Unweighted N 2934 1563 2373 1322
Missing data on household composition make this category not identical to one-person households.
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. C-2
Appendix C: Comparisons of 1991-1992 and 1993 Samples
Exhibit C.2
INCOME, ASSETS, AND SHELTER EXPENSES OF APPROVED FOOD STAMP APPLICANTS:
EXPEDITED SERVICE VS. REGULARLY PROCESSED,
SEPARATELY FOR 1991-1992 AND 1993 SAMPLES
Expedited
Service
Regularly
Processed AH
October 1991-September 1992
Monthly gross income:
Mean amount
Percent with zero income
Income relative to poverty level
$157
53.4%
0.19
$503
16.3%
0.55
$383
29.2%
0.43
Earnings:
Mean amount
Percent receiving
$46
13.0%
$262
36.7%
$187
28.4%
Unearned income:
Mean amount
Percent receiving
$111
35.7%
$241
56.8%
$196
49.4%
fl Total assets:
Mean amount
Percent reporting zero assets
$46
81.2%
$167
67.9%
$125
72.5%
Liquid resources:
Mean amount
Percent holding
$21
16.8%
$92
28.7%
$68
24.6%
I Total shelter expenses:
Mean amount
Percent reporting no shelter expensed
$271
31.6%
$340
12.1%
$316
18.9%
Unweighted N 2934 1563 4497
August-September 1993
Monthly gross income:
Mean amount
Percent with zero income
Income relative to poverty level
$150
54.6%
0.19
$580
11.1%
0.65
$396
29.6%
0.45
Earnings:
Mean amount
Percent receiving
$48
13.0%
$291
39.9%
$188
28.4%
Unearned income:
Mean amount
Percent receiving
$101
34.7%
$289
58.9%
$209
48.6%
Total assets:
Mean amount
Percent reporting zero assets
$76
80.4%
$176
59.0%
$134
68.1%
Liquid resources:
Mean amount
Percent holding
$22
17.4%
$103
37.9%
$69
29.1%
Total shelter expenses:
Mean amount
Percent reporting no shelter expenses
$239
38.4%
$379
9.6%
$319
21.9%
Unweighted N 2373 1322 3695
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. C-3
I/O
Appendix C: Comparisons of 1991-1992 and 1993 Samples
Exhibit C.3
APPROVED APPLICANTS RECEIVING EXPEDITED SERVICE.
BY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA,
SEPARATELY FOR 1991-1992 AND 1993 SAMPLES
Percentage Distribution of Approved
Applicants Receiving Expedited Service
Duplicated Unduplicated
October 1991 - September 1992
Monthly income/resources below guidelines
Destitute migrant/ seasonal worker
"McKinney criteria"
Homeless
Shelter expenses exceed income/resources
Total
90.3%
1.2
22.3
60.1
> 100.0%
90.3%
0.1
2.5
7.1
100.0%
Unweighted N 2885 2885
August - September 1993
Monthly income/resources below guidelines
Destitute migrant/seasonal farmworker
"McKinney criteria*
Homeless
Shelter expenses exceed income/resources
Total
90.3%
2.3
26.6
50.6
> 100.0%
90.3%
0.2
2.4
LI
100.0%
I Unweighted N 2349 2349
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. C-4
//!
-a
Appendix C: Comparisons of 1991-1992 and 1993 Samples
Exhibit C.4
TIMELINESS OF BENEFIT AUTHORIZATION,
BY EXPEDITED SERVICE STATUS,
SEPARATELY FOR 1991-1992 AND 1993 SAMPLES
Number of Day* Between Application
and Authorization of Benefits
September 1992 August-September 1993
Expedited
Service
ReguJsrir
Proceased
Expedited
: Service .
Regularfy-
Proce»««d
i Same day 36.6% 23.7% 39.0% 18.3%
1 16.1 3.9 16.7 4.6
2 7.0 3.1 9.3 4.2
3 6.1 2.6 6.5 3.1
4 4.0 2.4 3.5 3.4
5
| Within 5 days
3.4
73.2
1.6 41 2.8
37.2 79.1 36.4
| 6-10 10.3 14.2 79 16.2
11-20 7.6 18.6 5.8 23.6
21-30 6.3 18.5 5.6 18.2
31-60 1.9 8.8 1.7 5.2
en- 0.7 2.7 0.0 0.4
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Mean 6.7 16.5 4.4#* 12.1
| Unweighted N 2915 1550 2349 1318
•• Significantly different from October 1991 - September 1992 It 0.05 level.
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. C-5
Appendix C Comparisons of 1991-1992 and 1993 Samples
Exhibit C.5
ACCURACY OF EXPEDITED SERVICE SCREENING,
SEPARATELY FOR 1991-1992 AND 1993 SAMPLES
I Qualified for Expedited Service
.
Yes No Total
October 1991-September 199?
Received expedited service
Yes
No
Total
Received expedited service—adjusted
Yes
No
Total
29.3%
22.8
52.1
38.8%
13.3
52.1
5.6%
42.4
48.0
5.6%
42.4
48.0
34.9%
65.2
100.0%
44.4%
55.6
100.0%
August-September 1993?
Received expedited service
Yes
No
Total
Received expedited service—adjusted
Yes
No
Total
37.0%
16.4
53.5
43.2%
10.3
53.5
5.6%
40.9
46.5
5.6%
40.9
46.5
42.6%
57.4
100.0%
48.7%
51.3
100.0%
■ Unweighted N = 4497.
b Unweighted N = 3695.
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. C-6
Appendix C: Comparisons of 1991-1992 and 1993 Samples
Exhibit C.6
CHANGE IN MONTHLY BENEFIT AMOUNT BETWEEN FIRST AND THIRD MONTHS OF
INITIAL CERTIFICATION. BY EXPEDITED SERVICE STATUS.
SEPARATELY FOR 1991-1992 AND 1993 SAMPLES
I .
Termination or Benefit Decrease
Benefit
Increase No Change
1
Total
Termina-tion
Benefit
Decrease Either
October 1991-September 1992
Expedited service cases
Verification postponed 21.9% 14.3% 36.1% 8.1% 55.8% 100.0%
Verification not postponed 15.0 10.3 25.3 9.4 65.3 100.0
All 17.8 11.8 29.6 8.7 61.8 100.0
Expedited service cases,
McKmney only:
Verification postponed 31.0 18.3 49.3 12.9 37.8 100.0
Verification not postponed 17.9 6.2 24.1 10.1 65.8 100.0
All 22.4 12.0 34.5 10.8 54.8 100.0
Regular cases 8.1 12.2 20.2 11.5 68.3 100.0
. —'
August-Septemiier 1993
Expedited service cases
Verification postponed 20.7 12.0 32.7 13.8 53.5 100.0
Verification not postponed 8.5 6.9 15.4 6.7 77.9 100.0
All 13.7 9.1 22.8 9.8 67.4 100.0
Expedited service cases,
McKinney only:
Verification postponed 28.3 10.7 38.9 21.2 39.9 100.0
Verification not postponed 5.0 1.8 6.7 16.4 76.9 100.0
All 15.2 6.7 21.8 19.0 59.2 100.0
I Regular cases 8.3% 9.6% 17.9% 18.0% 64.1«6 100.0%
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. C-7
APPENDIX D
SUPPLEMENTARY EXHIBITS
//4
Appendix D: Supplementary Exhibits
Exhibit D.1
INCOME, ASSETS. AND SHELTER EXPENSES OF APPROVED FOOD STAMP APPLICANTS:
EXPEDITED SERVICE VS. REGULARLY PROCESSED. BY OFFICE SIZE
Expedited
Service
Regularly
Processed AN
Large
Monthly gross income:
Mean amount
Percent with zero income
Income relative to poverty level
$169 •"
51.7 %■••
0.21 ■•■
$497
15.7 %
0.57
$365
30.3 %
0.42
Earnings:
Mean amount
Percent receiving
$47 ■••
10.7 %■••
$220
31.0 %
$150
22.8 %
Unearned income:
Mean amount
Percent receiving
$123 ••■
39.5 %■■
$277
60.7 %
$215
52.1 %
Total assets:
Mean amount
Percent reporting zero assets
$60 ■•
83.3 %•■
$115
70.8 %
$93
75.9
Liquid resources:
Mean amount
Percent holding
$17 ■■•
14.1 %•■
$73
26.7 %
$51
21.6 %
Total shelter expenses:
Mean amount
Percent reporting no shelter expenses
$280 ■••
31.1 %■•■
$377
10.7 %
$338
18.9 %
Unweighted N 3616 1881 5497
Medium
| Monthly gross income:
Mean amount
Percent with zero income
Income relative to poverty level
$119 •••
58.8 %•■•
0.14 •■•
$589
13.0 %
0.63
$425
29.0 %
0.46
Earnings:
Mean amount
Percent receiving
$50 •••
18.4 %■■■
$376
50.9 %
$262
39.6 %
Unearned income:
Mean amount
Percent receiving
$69 ••'
25.3 %•••
$213
49.1 %
$162
40.8 %
Total assets:
Mean amount
Percent reporting zero assets
$49 ■•
79.0 %••■
$216
58.6 %
$158
65.7 %
Liquid resources:
Mean amount
Percent holding
$28 ■•■
20.3 %■•■
$111
37.3 %
$82
31.4 %
l—_ ■ -■
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. D-l
//6
Appendix D: Supplementary Exhibits
Exhibit D.1 (cont.)
Expedited
Service
Regularly
Processed AN
Total shelter expenses:
Mean amount
Percent reporting no shelter expenses
$210 ■••
43.3 %■••
$326
12.0 %
$285
22.9 %
Unweighted N 1246 681 1927
Small
| Monthly gross income:
Mean amount
Percent with zero income
Income relative to poverty level
$145 •••
56.5 %■••
0.18 •••
$561
10.0 %
0.62
$434
24.1 %
0.48
H Earnings:
Mean amount
Percent receiving
$41 •••
13.2 %■■■
$262
38.3 %
$195
30.7 %
Unearned income:
Mean amount
Percent receiving
$105 ■•■
33.2 %••■
$299
66.1 %
$240
56.1 %
Total assets:
Mean amount
Percent reporting zero assets
$106 •••
63.9 %■■■
$371
44.5 %
$291
50.4 %
| Liquid resources:
Mean amount
Percent holding
$50 ••■
33.0 %•■•
$190
49.9 %
$147
44.8 %
I Total shelter expenses:
Mean amount
Percent reporting no shelter expenses
$210 •■•
35.0 %■■■
$305
11.8 %
$276
18.9 %
Unweighted N 445 323 768
Significantly different from regularly-processed cases at the 0.10 level.
Significantly different from regularly-processed cases at the 0.05 level.
Significantly different from regularly-processed cases at the 0.01 level.
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. D-2
HI
Appendix D: Supplementary Exhibits
Exhibit D.2
EXPEDITED SERVICE ENTITLEMENT CRITERIA.
BY OFFICE SIZE
Percentage Distribution of Approved
Applicants Receiving Expedited
Services
Duplicated Unduplicated
Large
Monthly income/resources below limits 89.5% 89.5%
Destitute migrant/seasonal worker 0.6 0.0
"McKinney criteria:
Homeless
Shelter expenses exceed income/resources
25.1
55.3
2.4
8.1
1 Total > 100.0% 100.0%
Unweighted N 3558 3558
Medium
Monthly income/resources below limits 91.8% 91.8%
Destitute migrant/seasonal worker 4.5 0.4
"McKinney criteria:
Homeless
Shelter expenses exceed income/resources
22.1
56.4
2.6
5.3
Total > 100.0% 100.0%
Unweighted N 1235 1235
Small
Monthly income/resources below limits 92.5% 92.5%
Destitute migrant/seasonal worker 1.9 0.0
"McKinney criteria:
Homeless
Shelter expenses exceed income/resources
24.7
58.1 5.3
Total > 100.0% 100.0%
Unweighted N 441 441
NOTE: None of the observed differences between the percentage of cases added by the McKinney act is
statistically significant.
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. D-3
//sc
Appendix D: Supplementary Exhibits
Exhibit D.3
EXPEDITED SERVICE ENTITLEMENT CRITERIA,
BY OFFICE TYPE
Percentage Distribution of Approved
Applicants Receiving Expedited
Services
Duplicated Unduplicated
Metropolitan
1 Monthly income/resources below limits
H Destitute migrant/seasonal worker
"McKinney criteria:
Homeless
Shelter expenses exceed income/resources
Total
91.1%
1.9
25.4
57.2
> 100.0%
91.1%
0.1
2.3
6.4
100.0%
Unweighted N 4072 4072
Non-Metropolitan
Monthly income/resources below limits
Destitute migrant/seasonal worker
"McKinney criteria:
Homeless
Shelter expenses exceed income/resources
Total
86.9%
1.0
19.5
49.9
> 100.0%
86.9%
0.0
3.1
10.0
100.0%
Unweighted N 1162 1162
NOTE: The observed difference between the percentage of cases added by the McKinney Act is not
statistically significant.
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. D-4
Appendix D: Supplementary Exhibits
Exhibit D.4
LINEAR PROBABILITY MODELS OF LIKELIHOOD
OF EARLY TERMINATION OR BENEFIT DECREASE
Termination or
Termination Benefit Decrease
Expedited service status
(Omitted category: Regular cases)
Non-McKinney, verification postponed 0.0546'*•
(0.0121)
0.0835***
(0.0150)
Non-McKinney, verification not postponed -0.0187
(0.0119)
-0.0177
(0.0147)
McKinney, verification postponed 0.0950***
(0.0241)
0.0869**"
(0.0298)
McKinney, verification not postponed -0.0093
(0.0266)
-0.0619*
(0.0329)
...
Certification period less than three months 0.2946" *"
(0.0119)
0.3417***
10.0147)
Age of case head
(Omitted category: ages 25-34)
Under 18 0.0096
(0.0286)
0.0414
(0.0354)
18 to 24 0.0178*
(0.0107)
0.0185
(0.0132)
35 to 44 0.0030
(0.0103)
0.0010
(0.0127)
45 to 59 -0.0135
(0.0132)
-0.0016
(0.0163)
60 or over -0.0194
(0.0225)
-0.0115
(0.0278)
Race of case head
(Omitted category: White)
Black -0.0210*
(0.0110)
-0.0046
(0.0136)
Hispanic -0.0292* *
(0.0142)
-0.0511***
(0.0176)
Other non-white -0.0474*
(0.0252)
-0.0491
(0.0311)
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. D-5
/JZO
Appendix D: Supplementary Exhibits
Exhibit D.4 (cont.)
Termination
Termination or
Benefit Decrease
Other demographics of case head
Male
Disabled
Homeless
0.0394* **
(0.0094)
-0.0451 **•
(0.0143)
0.0428 •*•
(0.0110)
0.0325***
(0.0116)
-0.0057
(0.0177)
0.0306**
(0.0136)
Food stamp history
Prior receipt of food stamps
Prior receipt of food stamps missing
Prior receipt of expedited service
Prior receipt of expedited service missing
-0.0208
(0.0133)
-0.0138
(0.0217)
0.0061
(0.0162)
0.0113
(0.0157)
-0.0047
(0.0165)
0.0180
(0.0269)
-0.0054
(0.0200)
0.0174
(0.0194)
Household type
(Omitted category: Single adults)
Single parent with children
Married couple/parent with children
Married couple without children
Multiple adults with children
Multiple adults without children
Other, non-single
Household type missing
-0.0107
(0.0132)
0.0122
(0.0181)
-0.0091
(0.0227)
0.0011
(0.0234)
0.0209
(0.0235)
0.0020
(0.0292)
0.0064
(0.0324)
-0.0012
(0.0163)
0.0032
(0.0224)
-0.0031
(0.0281)
-0.0286
(0.0290)
0.0138
(0.0291)
-0.0161
(0.0362)
0.0432
(0.0400)
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. D-6
Appendix D: Supplementary Exhibits
Exhibit D.4 (cont.)
Income and assets
Any countable assets
Zero income
Any earnings
Gross income ($100)
Food stamp allotment ($100)
R2 (no intercept)
Unweighted N
Standard errors are in parentheses.
Statistically significant at the 0.01 percent level.
Statistically significant at the 0.05 percent level.
Statistically significant at the 0.10 percent level.
Termination
0.0089
(0.0101)
0.0695* ""
(0.0124)
0.0476" *"
(0.0126)
0.0016
(0.0019)
-0.0107"
(0.0057)
0.1283
7100
Termination or
Benefit Decrease
0.0179
(0.0125)
0.0336""
(0.0154)
0.0568*""
(0.0156)
0.0034
(0.0023)
0.0622" *"
(0.0071) I
0.1137
7100
Missing data was a serious problem for some of these variables. Rather than delete the observations, missing data indicators
were created for the three measures for which the problem was severe: household type, prior receipt of food stamps, and prior
receipt of expedited services.
Because certification period length is also included in the model, the coefficients on the household characteristics variables
cannot be interpreted as the effects of these factors on the likelihood of a termination or benefit decrease. Instead, they
represent the effects of household characteristics that are not captured by the certification period assignment.
The data on which these analyses are based come from 59 sites throughout the country. Variations in termination and benefit
reduction rates among the sites are likely, both because of differences in administrative practices and because of differences
in the local economies. We have not tried to estimate these effects directly. Instead, we have implicitly estimated fixed effects
models by grouping the data by site, expressing each variable as its deviation from the mean for that site, and analyzing the
deviations. The models are estimated without intercepts.
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. D-7
/a
Appendix D: Supplementary Exhibits
Exhibit D.5
UNWEIGHTED LOGISTIC MODEL OF THE LIKELIHOOD THAT A
REGULARLY-PROCESSED CASE IS OVERPAID OR INELIGIBLE
Logistic
Coefficient
(Standard Error)
Impact at
Sample Mean |
Proportion of cases in the office that receive
expedited service
-0.0143
(0.2893)
-0.0002
Any earnings 0.6890 •••
(0.1513)
0.1100 •*•
Number of adults in the household 0.0730
(0.0828)
0.0117
Food stamp case size 0.1106 *••
(0.0428)
0.0177 •"
Any aliens in the household -0.2703
(0.3948)
-0.0431
Any excess shelter deduction 0.3893 ••*
(0.1294)
0.0621 **•
Zero income 0.0994
(0.2438)
0.0159
1 Receipt of AFDC -0.0281
(0.1393)
-0.0045
Any liquid assets 0.1668
(0.1371)
0.0266
Any medical expenses 0.0201
(0.3331)
0.0032
Office is in metropolitan area 0.3147
(0.2453)
0.0502
Intercept -2.6712
Mean of dependent variable (weighted)
Chi-squared for covariates
Sample size
0.1994
55.44
2,279
* • * Statistically significant at the 0.01 level
** Statistically significant at the 0 05 level
Statistically significant at the 0.10 level
Case characteristics as reported in case record.
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. D-8
A23
Appendix D: Supplementary Exhibits
Exhibit D.6
ISSUES IN EXPEDITED SERVICE PROCESSING:
LOCAL OFFICE PERSPECTIVE3
1 Percent Responding
Mean
Issue Rating
Not a
Problem
1 2 3 4
Major
Problem
5
Expedited service criteria
Applicants not in urgent need of
emergency assistance receiving
expedited service processing
Applicants in urgent need of food
assistance not receiving expedited
service processing under current
rules
17.9% 37.3% 21.4% 11.1% 12.2% 2.6
50.9 34.2 9.4 5.5 1.7
Difficulty determining whether
applicants meet expedited service
criteria
62.8 18.1 10.7 5.9 2.5 1.7
Processing expedited service
applications
Postponed verification, making
verification process more
complicated
25.3% 37.4% 17.3% 14.4% 5.6% 2.4
Arranging schedule to handle the
necessary expedited service
interviews each day
44.1 16.3 18.7 12.2 8.7 2.3
Joint processing of expedited
service cases also applying for
AFDC
41.3 23.0 12.8 13.3 9.6 2.3
Applicants qualifying for expedited
service failing to bring verification
due to complicated application
forms
51.6 23.2 7.3 12.6 5.3 2.0
Meeting the five calendar day
processing standard
51.2 21.1 15.1 10.1 2.5 1.9
Difficulty moving between rules
for processing regular and
expedited service cases
48.6 23.8 17.8 6.2 3.5 1.9
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. D-9
Appendix D: Supplementary Exhibits
Exhibit D.6 (cont.)
Issue
Percent Responding
Mean
Rating
Not a
Problem
1 2 3 4
Major
Problem
5
Related to applicant behavior or
circumstances
Applicants intentionally
misrepresenting circumstances to
appear entitled to expedited
service
9.6% 41.5% 25.0% 10.4% 13.5% 2.8
Expedited service applicants failing
to appear for certification
interview
38.2 34.9 17.2 9.6 — 2.0
Applicants to be screened or
interviewed waiting too long in the
office
48.1 30.2 15.2 4.5 2.0 1.8
Many applicants being entitled to
expedited service receiving
benefits for only one month,
suggesting that they are not in
need of emergency assistance
58.8 26.7 12.6 1.9 1.6
Households receiving benefits in 71.2 13.0 7.7 8.1 — 1.5
more than one county or service
area within the same month
Approved expedited service
applicants failing to pick up first
month's benefits
81.0 16.6 1.6 — 0.8 1.2
■ Number of respondents = 59; responses weighted by the reciprocal of the office's probability of selection.
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. D-10
Appendix D: Supplementary Exhibits
Exhibit D.7
ISSUES IN EXPEDITED SERVICE PROCESSING:
FOOD STAMP WORKER PERSPECTIVE3
Issue
Percent Ranking Issue
as One of Three Most
Serious Problems
Expedited service criteria
Applicants not in urgent need of emergency assistance
receiving expedited service processing
24.1 %
Applicants in urgent need of food assistance not
receiving expedited service processing under current
rules
12.5
Difficulty determining whether applicants meet
expedited service criteria
12.2
Processing expedited service applications
Postponed verification, making verification process
more complicated
23.8
Arranging schedule to handle the necessary expedited
service interviews each day
27.1
Joint processing of expedited service cases also
applying for AFDC
9.4
Applicants qualifying for expedited service failing to
bring verification due to complicated application forms
9.5
Meeting the five calendar day processing standard 26.1
Difficulty moving between rules for processing regular
and expedited service cases
5.7
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. D-ll
Appendix D: Supplementary Exhibits
Exhibit D.7 (cont.)
, —
Percent Ranking Issue
as One of Three Most
Issue Serious Problems
Rotated to applicant behavior or circumstances
Applicants intentionally misrepresenting circumstances
to appear entitled to expedited service
53.3
Expedited service applicants failing to appear for
certification interview
16.4
Applicants to be screened or interviewed waiting too
long in the office
7.9
Many applicants being entitled to expedited service
receiving benefits for only one month, suggesting that
they are not in need of emergency assistance
4.6
Households receiving benefits in more than one county 8.8
or service area within the same month
Approved expedited service applicants failing to pick
up first month's benefits
2.7
* Number of respondents = 417; responses weighted to take into account workers' selection
probabilities.
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. D-12
111
Appendix D: Supplementary Exhibits
Exhibit D.8
PROBLEMS REPORTED TO LOCAL ADVOCACY GROUPS BY FOOD STAMP APPLICANTS
Percent Responding*
Not a
Problem
Problem
Problems
Mentioned
Only with
Prompting
Mentioned
without
Prompting
Screening
Applicants not being told about expedited service 53.3 17.1 29.6
Applicants to be screened or interviewed waiting too long
in the office
53.5 18.4 28.0
Screening procedures not being good 56.5 23.1 20.4
Application form
Application form being too complicated 43.7 30.3 26.0
Applicants for PA needing two separate applications or
interviews
67.5 20.9 11.7
Verification
Verification requirements being complicated 48.2 22.2 29.6
Expedited service applicants being required to provide
verification other than identity to get first month's
benefits
51.9 24.8 23.3
Workers not telling applicants when verification items are
due
81.3 5.7 13.0
Benefits
Prorated benefits not being sufficient to meet food needs 36.4 35.7 27.9
Applicants not receiving expedited service benefits within
five days
66.6 13.8 19.6
General office
Applicants having trouble getting answers to their
questions
47.7 19.8 32.6
Office not having enough qualified staff 43.4 30.4 26.2
Applicants having to return to the office too many times 55.4 19.6 25.0
' Number of respondents = 58.
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. D-13
131
Appendix D: Supplementary Exhibits
Exhibit D.9
RECOMMENDED CHANGES IN FEDERAL EXPEDITED SERVICE POLICY3
Changes to Policies
Percent Recommending Change
Local
Officials
State
Officials
Food Stamp
Workers
Advocacy
Groups
Modify five calendar day standard by
Changing it to five working days
Extending it to seven calendar days
Returning to three working days
Having federal guidelines for extending
deadline on a case-by-case basis
Shortening it to 24 hours or less
59.9
16.8
13.9
30.8
6.0
42.3
11.5
3.8
38.5
0.0
65.5
31.5
11.8
32.4
0.0
12.5
4.2
68.5
49.6
11.7
Eliminate following entitlement criteria
entirely
Shelter expenses exceed income and
liquid resources
Destitute migrant and seasonal farm-workers
Homeless
Income and assets
35.3
21.2
12.1
0.0
34.6
26.9
26.9
0.0
40.7
33.8
13.8
0.0
15.2
6.8
4.9
0.0
Modify definition of "hometess"
Exclude those living in she.ters and 65.5
institutions that provide food
Exclude or limit the definition of
"temporary" for those living temporarily
in the residence of another individual
Exclude those living temporarily with a 42.9
relative
Narrow definition in some other way 18.3
Expand definition of "homeless" 3.8
38.5
61.5
34.6
15.4
3.8
67.3
69.7
60.6
4.2
5.9
19.1
21.2
7.6
4.1
16.1
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. D-14
Appendix D: Supplementary Exhibits
Exhibit D.9 (cont.)
1 Percent Recommending Change
Local State Food Stamp Advocacy
| Changes to Policies Officials Officials Workers Groups
1 Broaden entitlement criteria 12.6 15.4 11.7 49.0
1 Change income and asset limits
Tie to family size 48.9 15.4 48.1 71.4
Raise income limit 25.2 11.5 9.5 33.1
Lower income limit 7.9 3.9 9.3 4.2
Change income limit, direction not 0.0 11.5 9.5 27.2
specified
Raise asset limit 18.5 7.7 4.5 35.0
Lower asset limit 4.7 3.9 7.4 0.0
Change asset limit, direction not 0.0 7.7 9.1 17.3
specified
1 Change verification requirements
Require additional items prior to first 29.9 23.1 40.3 14.4
issuance
Eliminate postponed verification entirely 20.3 11.5 46.0 11.9
Eliminate the requirement to verify 0.6 0.0 1.2 18.3
identity
| Unweighted number of respondents 59 26 417 58 |
* Multiple responses are permitted.
b State responses are unweighted; all others are weighted.
Prepared by Abt Associates Inc. D-15
/Jo
APPENDIX E
NATIONAL ESTIMATES OF PRESUMPTIVE OVERPAYMENT
ERROR
W
APPENDIX E
NATIONAL ESTIMATES OF
PRESUMPTIVE OVERPAYMENT ERROR
We estimate that the presumptive overpayment error among expedited cases with
postponed verification amounts nationally to between $14 million and $30 million per year.
Exhibit E.l shows the calculations, which are explained below. All estimates are based on FY
1992 data.
The first step in this analysis is to estimate the average monthly number of approved
applicants receiving expedited service with postponed verification. To compute this, we multiply
the average monthly national caseload, 10.06 million households, by the following three factors:
• approved applicants as a percentage of average monthly cases, which we have
estimated from the 1992 national QC data at 5.0 percent;
• expedited cases as a percentage of approved applicants (the expedited service rate),
estimated at 34.9 percent (Exhibit 2.1); and
• the percentage of expedited cases that have postponed verification, estimated at
46.6 percent.
These assumptions imply that 81,618 households are approved each month with expedited
service and postponed verification. This calculation serves as the starting point for the estimates
in Exhibit E.l, for both ineligibility error and overissuance error.
The second step is to apply our estimate of the proportion of p