As Alaska continues to deal with a backlog of food aid applications, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack sent a letter to all state governors on Thursday, urging them to take steps to make sure their state’s programs issue benefits on time and of the correct amount.
Data shows that Alaska is not alone in struggling to keep up with federal requirements for operating the national food aid program. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, is a social safety net aimed at ensuring all Americans have access to basic nutrition.
In the version of the letter sent to Alaska, Vilsack noted that the state’s SNAP program is performing below the national standard and the most recent data from the state shows performance is not improving.
“States should consider all options available under current law —such as assigning the longest certification periods allowed for the household or streamlining verification — to reduce burden on clients and to increase staff time available for reducing backlogs and focusing on accurate and timely case processing,” he wrote.
Department of Health Commissioner Heidi Hedberg switched Alaska’s certification period from 6 months to 12 months in June of 2023.
“Americans in need should have access to essential benefits without unnecessary delays. People should not lose access to food because States are unable to review their applications in a timely fashion. States must deliver benefits in the right amounts, to the right individuals, and in the required periods of time,” Vilsack wrote.
Vilsack’s letter follows a warning Alaska received from the USDA last week, which a USDA spokesperson said was “unique to the situation in Alaska.” Thousands of Alaskans continue to wait on overdue food stamps as the Department of Health works overtime to quell a backlog that first came to light in 2022.
State employees have reduced the once more than 12,000 person backlog to just under 2,500.
In Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year, he put an additional $8.8 million towards hiring permanent staff for the Division of Public Assistance, which manages the SNAP program, and $5 million towards food pantries, which have been overwhelmed by need as thousands of Alaskans have gone without benefits.