Why Refer to the
Basic Food Program
(BFP)?
A training module for WIC
staff
Objectives
STAFF WILL UNDERSTAND:
 The
importance and need for the BFP
 How the BFP can be promoted to WIC
clients
 Barriers to the BFP
 Eligibility and application processes
 Key resources available for BFP referrals
Why refer to the
BFP?
Reason #1
Hunger and Food Insecurity:
WA State

4.4% of WA residents food insecure with
hunger
– 5th in nation

12.5% of WA residents food insecure without
hunger
– 10th in nation

Effects of hunger
– delayed physical, psychosocial, and cognitive
development
Reason #2
WIC & BFP Work Better
Together
Both WIC and BFP are associated with
 increased food security in both adults and
children
 higher nutrient intakes
 Both WIC and BFP participation have been shown
to increase nutrient intakes (iron and zinc) in
children
Reason #3
BFP Can Help YOUR
Clients (1)

Additional Aid
– When WIC benefits are no longer available
 Maternal depression when assistance is no longer
available
– Can negatively impact child health
– Those who qualify for BFP may also qualify for
financial assistance for heating, electricity, and
telephone costs
*Must live in Seattle city limits for certain benefits
BFP Can Help YOUR
Clients (2)

Option for variety
– Many WIC clients surveyed expressed wishes
for more variety with WIC checks
 i.e.: fruit or culturally appropriate foods
– BFP Cards are accepted at Farmers Markets
 Columbia, Lake City, University, Magnolia, West
Seattle
 Participants take BFP Quest Cards to information
booth, receive tokens for requested amount
Who is Using Basic
Food?
Program Utilization

Currently BFP serves
– Statewide: 403,992
– Nationwide: 21 million
 51.1% are children aged 18 or younger

Usage by WIC clients
– According to CIMS data 75% of PH-S&KC WIC
clients are NOT participating in the BFP
– However…2/3 of WIC clients are still living at
or below federal poverty level
So why is the BFP
under-utilized by WIC
clients?
Perceived “Barriers”

Paperwork too long
– TRUTH: Application 3 pages and there’s help!

Benefits not worth time
– TRUTH: Avg mo benefit $80/person and
$186/household in 2002

Intimidating environment
– TRUTH: Resources available to help you be
prepared and confident!
Perceived “Barriers”

Assuming ineligibility
– TRUTH: Eligibility screening calculators
available online

Embarrassment
– TRUTH: WIC staff encouragement can help
eliminate this!!

WIC provides enough benefit
– TRUTH: BFP provides more variety and
culturally appropriate foods
The best way to
eliminate these
barriers is to increase
knowledge!!
SO…What are the
requirements for
eligibility??
Clients Must Have…
1.
2.
•
•
3.
•
•
4.
Washington State Residency
A Social Security Number
For every household member
requesting benefits
In process of applying is OK
Appropriate Citizenship
Status
U.S. Citizen or U.S. National
Most legal immigrants
Income within limits
What is required of
legal immigrants?
Legal Immigrants

Must have documentation of legal status

Have Sponsor

Must have or be in the process of applying
for SS#
– Can receive benefits while waiting for # to be
issued
Immigrants Without Legal
Status

Undocumented/No SS#
– Can apply for BFP if at least one member of
the household has documented status and
SSN
– Request benefits for that member only
DSHS is not required to turn BFP information
over to INS
Promoting the BFP
to immigrants
Any thoughts?
Suggested Approach

Penny Lara-Figueroa, PH-S&KC
– Reassuring clients that food assistance will not affect
their or their children’s citizenship status is key-many
clients have heard misinformation
 Make client feel comfortable-one word could turn them away
– Avoid using words “legal” and “illegal”
 Emphasize that every case is different
 Use hand-out to back up what you say
 Mention taxes paid in US help pay benefits for children born
in US
What are the
income limits??
Income Limits
Dependent upon household size
Includes:



Wages
Tips
Unemployment Benefits
– Prior to monthly deductions
and taxes
Does NOT Include:
Wages from students <18
 Earned income tax credit
 Energy assistance
 Bona fide loans
 Most student financial aid

Household
Size
Max GROSS
Monthly Income
Allowed
Amount of Food
Stamps You
MAY Qualify For
(<130% federal poverty level)
1
$0 to $973
$10 to $141
2
$974 to $1,313
$10 to $259
3
$1,314 to $1,654
$10 to $371
4
$1,655 to $1,994
$10 to $471
5
$1,995 to $2,334
$10 to $560
6
$2,335 to $2,674
$10 to $672
7
$2,675 to $3,014
$10 to $743
8
$3,015 to $3,296
$10 to $849
Additional Requirements:
BFP and Students

Student defined as age 18-49 enrolled half-time
or more in an institution of higher education.

To receive BFP students must meet one of the
following criteria:
– Have at least a part time job or are self-employed
 At least 20 hours per week
– Enrolled in federal or state work-study program
– Are a single parent or caring for child under age 5
Recent Changes to
Note…
Resource Limits No
Longer Apply

Effective May 1, 2004:
“CATEGORICAL ELIGIBILTY”
Washington State will no longer look at
resources as a Basic Food eligibility factor
for most individuals and families whose
income is below 130% of the Federal
Poverty Level.
Old Resource Limits
• Must be < $2,000, or < $3,000 (for households with
person(s) > 60 yrs)
Included:





Cash
Vehicle equity ≥ $4,650
Bank accounts
Property
Stocks and bond
More Changes...

By October 31, 2004 WA State will
implement simplified reporting for the BFP
– Only need to report:
 Increase in income that would result in ineligibility
 A change in address
– Every 6-12 mo must complete a semiannual
report OR participate in an eligibility review

Former drug felons will be eligible for
Basic Food benefits effective July 1, 2004*
What can your
clients expect?
BFP Benefit Timeline
Application
Application for Benefits

–

Complete and sign in two places:
 On line 1 and at bottom of page 4
 On page 4 client signs that he/she has read and
understands “Client Rights and Responsibilities”
Submit to DSHS Community Service Office (CSO)
by mail, fax or by hand.


–
CSO determined by Zip Code
Zip codes serviced by Clinic
Pierce County residents to Pierce Co. CSO
Interview Notice

Client receives notice of interview
– Faxed or mailed application
 Notice by mail
– Hand delivered application
 Interview date/time established on delivery
 Some CSOs allow client to wait for same-day
interview
*Clients can request phone interview
Review Timeline
 Expedited Service
– “What do I do if I need food right away?”
 Instructions on front of application
 If client qualifies, review within 5 days

Otherwise, regulation allows 30 days for
processing the application
 Most CSOs have policy of “As soon as possible”
*Review lasts an hour to an hour and a half
What Clients Need to Bring
to the Interview

Proof of Identity
– Birth Certificate, Immigration documentation, Social
Security cards
– For all household members

Proof of Housing
– Statement from Landlord, rental agreements,
mortgage payments, and utility costs, etc
– Completed Shared Living Statement

Proof of Income
– Pay stubs, unemployment stubs, grants and loans,
trust fund monies, child support/alimony, etc
Receiving Benefits

Eligibility determined at interview
– Client receives Quest card, PIN and
instructions for accessing benefits the same
day

However, the majority of clients fail to
bring some form of required verification to
interview!!
– Delays benefits until all items are received
How to Refer in YOUR Clinic (1)
Example Clinic

Points of Referral
– Application Worker
 Name(s)
– Hours of availability
– Ability to take more clients
 How to Refer to AW:
– Call for appointment availability
– Direct clients to office
– Outreach Worker
 Dates Availability
 How to refer
– Direct clients to lobby, or inform clients of dates/times of availability
How to Refer in YOUR Clinic (2)
Example Clinic
 Points of Referral (cont.):
– Hopelink Outreach
 Dependent on need
 Will establish regular schedule you can refer clients
to
 What would work best for North?
– How to Refer to Hopelink:
 Direct clients to lobby, or inform of date/times of
availability
Resources
for the BFP
Application Process
Flyers and Handouts
1.
BFP Information for Clients
-Spanish and English
2.
3.
What WIC staff need to know about eligibility
and referrals
“Good News” Immigration Info
-Spanish, Russian and English
4.
5.
Resources for the BFP application process
CSO locations
*Suggestion: Resource list (#4) can be printed on the back of #5 & #2
Let your clients know about these
Resources!!
Both offer help with the BFP application process
Hopelink
www.hope-link.org
1-877-644-3663
Healthy Mothers,
Healthy Babies
www.hmhb.org
1-800-322-2588
*Let your clients know that these agencies are credible, reliable and are there
to serve THEM!!
Confidentiality is assured
Helpful Websites
FNS Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/faqs.htm
NW Justice Project
www.nwjustice.org
Food USA
www.foodstamps.org
DSHS
https://wws2.wa.gov/dshs/onlinecso/Food_Assistance_Program.asp
Online income eligibility calculator
www1.dshs.wa.gov/ESA/TEC
Re-cap: Why Should you
Refer Clients to BFP?
BFP addresses food insecurity
2. BFP is under-utilized by WIC clients
3. To help eliminate perceived barriers
1.
**TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RESOURCES
AVAILABLE**
Now that you have the
info, how will you
promote the BFP to
YOUR clients?
Role Play: Five minute Promotion of
Basic Food Program
5 Key Points to Address:
1. Promote BFP based on client income
2. Address Client Interest
–
Why BFP would be beneficial to client

3.
4.
5.
WIC perspective i.e.: culturally appropriate food
Client Eligibility
–
Reassurance
–
Timeline
–
Point of Referral
What clients should expect
Where to go
Additional Resources
and Information
Detailed Legal Immigrant
Info

Must have documentation of legal status
– DSHS will assist in paying for documents if needed

Have Sponsor
– If client had an individual sponsor on or after December 19,
1997, sponsor's income may be included in determining eligibility
 Unless the applicant is under 18 years old or has acquired 40 Social
Security work quarters

Must have or be in the process of applying for an SS#
– Not all applicants for state-funded Basic Food need an SS#
– Must have receipt of application from Social Security
Administration
– Can receive benefits while waiting for # to be issued
Resources









Rose D, Habicht JP, Devaney B. Household participation in the Food Stamp and WIC
programs increases the nutrient intakes of preschool children. J Nutr. 1998
Mar;3:548-55
Perez-Escamilla R, Ferris AM, Drake L, Haldeman L, Peranick J, Campbell M, Peng YK,
Burke G, Bernstein B.
Food stamps are associated with food security and dietary intake of inner-city
preschoolers from Hartford, Connecticut. J Nutr. 2000;130(11):2711-7
FNS Frequently Asked Questions Website. http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/faqs.htm
Food USA Website. http://www.foodstamps.org
DSHS Website. http://wws2.wa.gov/dshs/onlinecso/Food_Assistance_Program.asp
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Trial Eligibility Calculator.
http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/ESA/TEC
DSHS Eligibility Requirements for State Funded Benefits through the Basic Food
Program.
http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/esa/eazmanual/Sections/CitizenRestricFAP.htm#388-4240025
Casey P, Goolsby S, Berkowitz C, Frank D, Cook J, Cutts D, Black MM, Zaldivar N,
Levenson S, Heeren T, Meyers A. Maternal depression, changing public assistance,
food security, and child health status: Children's Sentinel Nutritional Assessment
Program Study Group. Pediatrics. 2004;113(2):298-304
Food Stamp Program: Average monthly participation in persons. USDA Website. Food
and Nutrition Service. http://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/fsfypart.htm