RELEASE: July 13, 2005

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Food Stamp Program Receives $2 Million in Bonus Funding
Online Application Boosts Payment Accuracy to Third in Nation

TRENTON – Human Services Commissioner James M. Davy accepted a $2 million check from the federal government today, a bonus for the department's continued improvement to the Food Stamp Program.

“This bonus funding is high praise for the hard work our Division of Family Development and the County Welfare Agencies have done together to enhance our payment accuracy,” Commissioner Davy said.

In presenting the check, U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kate Coler recognized the accuracy of New Jersey 's Food Stamp Program. “We are pleased to watch New Jersey improve from having one of the worst accuracy rates in the nation to one of the best,” Coler said.

Over the last three years, New Jersey has gone from an error rate of 12.75 percent to 3.01 percent this year. Enrollment in the program has increased as well with 10 percent more households receiving food stamp benefits. Much of this is attributed to the online application which went live June 2004.

“Our participation in the program continues to grow,” Commissioner Davy said. “We now have more than 169,000 households receiving food stamps. Technology is really benefiting our ability to serve New Jersey .”

For more information on NJ's Food Stamp Program or to apply, visit www.njfoodstamps.com or call 1-800-687-9512.

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