Review of FNS' Nutrition Assistance Program Disaster Funding to Puerto Rico as a Result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria

Document and present policy alternatives, including the potential for legislative change, to the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services that would allow ADSEF to operate a permanent disaster assistance program when Puerto Rico is declared a disaster area under authority of the Stafford Act.

Until ADSEF is allowed to operate a permanent disaster nutrition assistance program, require ADSEF to create and receive FNS approval for a comprehensive disaster nutrition assistance plan that plans for varying funding levels and timelines in the event that ADSEF is authorized supplemental disaster nutrition funding after future disasters. In this plan, outline how ADSEF will amend NAP regulations to better identify and assist those most affected by the disaster.

FNS and ADSEF should evaluate opportunities to leverage other agencies' data and resources to assist in delivering disaster nutrition assistance for future disasters, including coordinating with FEMA to qualify households for disaster nutrition assistance.

Based on the outcome of Recommendation 3, FNS and ADSEF should incorporate the coordination with other agencies in yearly disaster plans for Puerto Rico.

Require ADSEF to correct its eligibility system to prevent the retroactive/claims module from overwriting the budget module going forward.