USDA Food Distribution Programs (Commodities)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides funding to states and tribes to manage Food Distribution Programs. With this funding agencies provide USDA commodity foods to the public.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a U.S. Department Of Agriculture (USDA) food distribution program that is administered by the DES Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) Coordinated Hunger Relief Program. TEFAP provides low-income participants with nutritious USDA food commodities at no cost.
Any budgetary unit receiving NA is categorically eligible to receive TEFAP commodities. (See
NA Categorical Eligibility)
TEFAP commodities do not count as income to the NA budgetary unit.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a U.S. Department Of Agriculture (USDA) food distribution program that is administered by the DES Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) Coordinated Hunger Relief Program. The CSFP provides low-income, elderly participants with nutritious USDA food commodities at no cost.
CSFP commodities do not count as income to the NA budgetary unit.
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that provides commodity foods to income eligible participants living on Indian Tribal Lands, and to income-eligible Native American participants residing in designated areas near Tribal Lands. FDPIR is administered locally by Tribal agencies.
Budgetary units are potentially eligible to receive FDPIR benefits when they meet one of the following:
●Reside on Indian Tribal Land that administers an FDPIR regardless of tribal enrollment.
●Reside in an approved area near Indian Tribal Land that administers an FDPIR and includes at least one adult participant who is a recognized member of that Tribal Land’s Tribe.
NOTE The tribe determines the approved area.
Budgetary units are not allowed to receive both NA and FDPIR benefits in the same month. Budgetary units approved for NA but receiving zero benefits are eligible to apply for and receive FDPIR benefits for that month.
When a participant states they have received FDPIR benefits within three months before the application date or they are currently receiving FDPIR benefits, FAA verifies all of the following:
●The budgetary unit’s FDPIR participation status.
●The status of an FDPIR Intentional program violation (IPV).
FDPIR Procedures
Use the Food Distribution/Nutrition Assistance Program Participation (FAA-0559A) form to request all of the following information:
●The budgetary unit's Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) participation status.
●The status of an FDPIR Intentional Program Violation (IPV) when appropriate.
Send the FAA-0559A to the AZ tribe that administers the FDPIR. The FDPIR completes section A of the FAA-0559A and returns the form to the requestor. (See
Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations for contact information.)
The FAA-0559A is used by FDPIR staff to request all of the following:
●The budgetary unit's NA participation status
●The status of an NA IPV when appropriate
FDPIR staff sends the FAA-0559A via email to the FDPIR Verification Mailbox at
[email protected].
The DBME Tribal Liaison completes section B of the FAA-0559A and returns the completed form to the requestor via secured email within five
workdays(g) from the date of the request.
When a participant contacts FAA to request NA participation information for an FDPIR program, complete all of the following:
●Section B of the FAA-0559A
●Upload a copy of the completed form to OnBase
●Provide the completed form to the participant
When requested by phone, it may be necessary to ask the requestor what their preferred method of contact for the tribe is. FAX the FAA-0559A to the FDPIR contact. When no FAX number is available, contact the tribe and request an email address, send the form via secured email. See
Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations for contact information.