This is a monumental day for the Division of Public Assistance. This morning I was officially informed that, as anticipated, DPA had the best Food Stamp Program (aka SNAP) payment accuracy in the nation during federal fiscal year 2011. Alaska’s active payment error rate reported by FNS was 0.76%; in other words the sampled cases were 99.24% accurate. In addition, Alaska had the second lowest negative error rate in the U.S. FNS reports that close to 99% of the application denials and case closures were accurate. We will receive a bonus payment of $289,997 for the having the lowest active error rate in the nation and $272,116 for being in second place for our negative error rate. These are stellar achievements!
Congratulations to the hundreds of eligibility technicians who work food stamp cases ever day! In the face of the largest food stamp caseload in Alaska’s history, they demonstrated a commitment to quality service and quality results that ensured close to 90,000 Alaskans receive timely and accurate benefits each month. Our ETs are undeniably awesome and I am certain that they would be the first to acknowledge that this success was a team effort!
Everyone one of us contributes to the success of this organization and these most recent honors are a perfect example. It would not have been possible without the concerted efforts of key units like Quality Assurance and the Policy Unit. Every month literally thousands of actions and payment determinations are taken on food stamp cases across the state. Only a very small number of these cases are pulled as part of the QA sample reported to our federal partners. I’m here to tell you, the accuracy of many of the cases pulled in this sample is problematic. The QA and Policy team pull out the stops to justify questionable payment determinations. They spend hours reviewing specific cases and dive deep into case documents, program policies, and federal regulations and guidance to exploit every opportunity to support and validate eligibility determinations and actions. While “behind the scene”, they have played a vital role in this achievement.
Each member of our team contributes or supports every action taken and every decision made on behalf of Alaska’s needy families. Our food stamp recipients also receive ATAP, Medicaid, Heating Assistance and APA. For many, their nutritional needs are further supplemented by WIC. Their children receive safe, affordable child care through the efforts of the Child Care Program Office. Together we are the cork line, web, and weights of the safety net that thousands rely on each day. In some way or fashion each of you reading this message played a part in this success. So, congratulate your co-workers on a fantastic job and be proud that you too made a difference. Thank you all very much for making this a great day to be part of DPA.
Ron Kreher
Director