States could hire contractors when food assistance processing falls behind

State agencies would be allowed to hire contractors to decide SNAP eligibility or perform other program work. States could use this option when applications increase or cannot be processed on time, including during emergencies, seasonal workforce cycles, and staff shortages. Contracts would have to follow state contracting rules and have a reasonable cost. During temporary staff shortages, this authority could not override existing labor agreements with state or local government employees. For temporary staff shortages, contracting authority would expire when the application backlog is eliminated.

Contractors would have to work alongside existing staff hired based on merit without replacing those workers. These safeguards would apply to contractors hired under this authority. Contracts could not reward either the agency or the contractor for delaying eligibility decisions or denying benefits to eligible people. Contractors could not have a direct or indirect financial stake in an approved SNAP store. States would have to follow the federal personnel principles cited in the proposal.

States would have to notify the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA, and provide information supporting increased applications or processing delays. USDA’s report to Congress’s agriculture committees would describe responses to application problems, supporting data, and recommended changes to USDA’s powers to help governments handle future surges or delays. USDA would post notices and supporting information on its website within 10 days of receiving them and submit its report to Congress annually.