Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) is a nutrition assistance program that may be operated at the request of a Tribe or Indian Tribal Organization (ITO) on an Indian reservation, approved areas near a reservation, or approved

FDPIR provides USDA Foods to income-eligible households living on Indian reservations, and to Indian Tribal households residing in approved areas near reservations or approved service areas in Oklahoma. Many households participate in FDPIR as an alternative to SNAP because they do not have easy access to SNAP offices or authorized food stores. USDA purchases and ships USDA Foods selected by Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and State agencies (SAs) from a list of available foods. The list of available USDA Foods includes over 100 domestically purchased items, including: frozen and canned meats and fish, canned and dry beans, peanut butter and nuts, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, rice, cereal, and other grains, dairy, and oil/butter. Through a partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program provides domestically grown and produced fresh fruits and vegetables, and fresh eggs, to include in the FDPIR food package. USDA provides ITOs and SAs with funds for program administrative costs. Program benefits for eligible households are provided in the form of a supplemental monthly food package, selected by the household in accordance with Federal guide rates that are based on household size.

The administration of FDPIR is limited to ITOs or to SAs that assume administration on behalf of/at the request of a Tribe(s).

FDPIR eligibility is limited to income-eligible households residing on participating reservations or income-eligible Indian Tribal Households (see definition at 7 CFR 253.2) residing in approved areas near a reservation or in approved service areas in Oklahoma. ITOs/SAs are responsible for certifying households based on national eligibility criteria. The income standards vary by household size and are based on the applicable SNAP net monthly income eligibility standards for the appropriate area, increased by the amount of the applicable SNAP standard deduction for that area.

USDA pays for and provides USDA Foods to authorized ITOs and SAs for distribution to qualifying households. In FY 2023, FNS made available to ITOs and SAs a minimum of 80% of the administrative funds necessary to operate the program and to conduct nutrition education. Administrative funds for nutrition education can be used for nutrition education services to FDPIR participants and FDPIR-eligible participants. ITOs and SAs must follow national polices in certifying eligible households and issuing USDA Foods and must comply with program and financial reporting requirements. USDA Foods may not be sold, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of (authorized distribution excepted) without prior, specific approval from USDA. The Federal funds provided must be used to meet allowable expenses incurred in operating FDPIR.

USDA pays for and provides USDA Foods to authorized ITOs and SAs for distribution to qualifying households. In FY 2023, FNS made available to ITOs and SAs a minimum of 80% of the administrative funds necessary to operate the program and to conduct nutrition education. Administrative funds for nutrition education can be used for nutrition education services to FDPIR participants and FDPIR-eligible participants. ITOs and SAs must follow national polices in certifying eligible households and issuing USDA Foods and must comply with program and financial reporting requirements. USDA Foods may not be sold, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of (authorized distribution excepted) without prior, specific approval from USDA. The Federal funds provided must be used to meet allowable expenses incurred in operating FDPIR.

Administrative funding for ITOs/SAs is provided each new federal fiscal year and has a period of availability at the ITO/SA level across two federal fiscal years before expiring. USDA Foods are available for ITOs and SAs to order for distribution, as needed.

All participating tribes do so via a federal/state agreement

FDPIR eligibility is limited to income-eligible households residing on participating reservations or income-eligible Indian Tribal Households (see definition at 7 CFR 253.2) residing in approved areas near a reservation or in approved service areas in Oklahoma. The ITOs/SAs are responsible for certifying households based on national eligibility criteria. The income standards vary by household size and are based on applicable SNAP net monthly income eligibility standards for the appropriate area, increased by the amount of the applicable SNAP standard deduction for that area. Households may not participate in FDPIR and the SNAP simultaneously in the same month.

Administrative funding is provided annually by FNS to ITOs and SAs for use in administering the program. Program benefits for eligible households are provided in the form of a monthly food package, selected by the household in accordance with Federal guide rates that are based on household size. ITOs and SAs order from a list of over 100 available foods. The foods are delivered to the ITOs/SAs on a predetermined schedule set by the ITO/SDA and stored locally.

ITOs/SAs who wish to begin administering the program can submit an application at any time. FNS must determine within 30 days of the receipt of a completed application if an ITO is capable of administering the program. ITOs and SAs must make foods available to eligible households within 7 days of receipt of the completed application form (1 day for households in need of expedited services).

Approval to administer the program continues unless a withdrawal is requested or required because of program irregularities. Administrative funding is provided on an annual basis; a new Form SF-424 and SF-424A (or equivalent budget document) must be submitted each year. Households are assigned certification periods of varying lengths based on household circumstances. Household certification periods may not exceed one year, except elderly or disabled households may be certified for up to 24 months if household circumstances are stable.