Description
The FY2021 SNAP Longitudinal Data Project Grant Program aims to support State agencies in establishing longitudinal research databases to enable research on participation in and the operation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The grant program provides up to $20 million in funding for fiscal year 2021, with $5 million available for each subsequent fiscal year. The program has four key objectives: (1) securely sharing monthly required data elements, (2) securely sharing monthly optional data elements, (3) improving the evaluation of SNAP data across State lines, and (4) enabling SNAP longitudinal research. Applicants must submit their proposals by April 13, 2021, and the anticipated award date is July 13, 2021.
Some key aspects of the program include:
• Setting aside $20 million in grant funding for fiscal year 2021
• Requiring unique identifiers to protect individual privacy and enable comparison of participation data across States and over time
• Requesting SNAP data elements from States, including demographic characteristics, income and financial resources, employment status, household circumstances, and monthly allotment amounts
• Requesting data from other State sources, including earning and employment data, health insurance program data, and participation in other State programs
• Encouraging States to begin the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) process soon after submitting their grant proposals to ensure eligibility for funding