4400-1001 Food Stamp Participation Rate Programs

For programs to increase the commonwealth's participation rate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other federal nutrition programs; provided, that not less than $900,000 shall be expended for a grant to Project Bread &ndash The Walk for Hunger, Inc.; provided further, that the work of employees of the department of transitional assistance paid for from this item shall be restricted to processing supplemental nutrition assistance program applications; provided further, that the department shall not require supplemental nutrition assistance program applicants to provide reverification of eligibility factors previously verified and not subject to change; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department shall require only 1 signature from supplemental nutrition assistance program applicants; provided further, that the department shall fund a unit staffed by department employees to respond to supplemental nutrition assistance program inquiries and arrange and conduct telephone interviews for initial supplemental nutrition assistance program applications from this item; provided further, that the department shall fund a system to image and catalog eligibility documents electronically from this item; provided further, that funds may be expended for supplemental nutrition assistance program outreach; and provided further, that not later than February 3, 2027, the department shall report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the status of these programs