| DATE: | April 18, 2024 | |
| SUBJECT: | Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): Caseload Assignments for the 2024 Caseload Cycle and Administrative Grants | |
| TO: | Regional Directors Supplemental Nutrition Programs All Regional Offices | State Directors CSFP State Agencies All CSFP State Agencies |
On March 9, 2024, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (PL 118-42) into law, which provides $389 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) for fiscal year (FY) 2024. Based on this funding level and available resources, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is issuing a final national caseload allocation of 730,000 slots for the 2024 caseload cycle (Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2024). This final national caseload level ensures that resources are sufficient to provide full food packages to participants throughout the caseload cycle. FNS is allocating final caseload and administrative grants for 2024 to CSFP state agencies, including indian tribal organizations (ITOs) and U.S. territories, as provided below.
Final Caseload Assignments
In accordance with CSFP regulations at 7 CFR Part 247, base caseload is equal to the highest of (1) average monthly participation in FY 2023 or (2) average monthly participation in the last quarter of FY 2023. Although CSFP regulations permit September-only participation data to be used to determine base caseload in certain limited circumstances, these regulatory criteria were not met for any state agency for 2024 because the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (PL 117-328) was signed prior to Feb.15, 2023.
CSFP regulations further provide that for each CSFP state agency, calculated base caseload for 2024 cannot be greater than total assigned caseload for 2023. Current resources are sufficient to support each state agency’s base caseload for the 2024 caseload cycle. Additionally, because several state agencies did not fully use their 2023 assigned caseload, total calculated national base caseload is 714,687 slots, leaving 15,313 additional caseload slots available for allocation.
The 15,313 available additional caseload slots are being allocated among all eligible state agencies that requested additional caseload. Each of these state agencies is being allocated a proportional share of the total available caseload slots based on its base caseload, up to its total additional caseload request. Where a proportional share exceeds any state agency’s additional caseload request, the remaining caseload is being allocated proportionally to the remaining states.
Per program regulations at 7 CFR 247.21(a)(2), CSFP state agencies must achieve a participation level which was equal to or greater than 95 percent of assigned caseload for the previous caseload cycle in order to be eligible for additional caseload, based on the performance periods referenced above.
Caseload Use and Food Orders in 2024
Program regulations require that CSFP state agencies ensure that program participation levels do not exceed assigned caseload on an average monthly basis. Each state agency’s caseload represents the maximum number of individuals the state agency can serve on an average monthly basis. In order to ensure sufficient food resources are available to serve CSFP participants throughout the year, any state agencies currently exceeding 2024 caseload assignments must work to reduce participation levels to reflect such assignments. At the same time, CSFP state agencies must attempt to fully use their 2024 caseload assignments. In order to efficiently use caseload, state agencies must monitor monthly participation carefully. Per CSFP regulations at 7 CFR 247.21, caseload assignments in 2025 will depend on resources available and each CSFP state agency’s caseload use this year.
It is crucial that CSFP state agencies manage caseload and USDA Foods in the most efficient manner possible. State agencies are required to accurately track and maintain appropriate inventory levels. Regulations at 7 CFR part 250 prohibit CSFP state agency-level inventories from exceeding three (3) months on-hand without approval from FNS.
FNS regional offices (ROs) should closely monitor state agencies’ year-to-date participation levels and food orders. FNS ROs must reduce food orders, if needed, to ensure that state agencies do not exceed their assigned caseloads or over-order USDA Foods.
Administrative Grant per Assigned Caseload Slot
The Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (PL 93-86), as amended, mandates an administrative grant per assigned caseload slot be adjusted each fiscal year to reflect inflation. The mandatory grant per assigned caseload slot for FY 2024 is $98.74.
The attached chart, Attachment A, displays final caseload assignments and administrative grants for each state agency. Administrative funds for use over the remainder of the FY are subject to apportionment by the Office of Management and Budget. We will keep you informed regarding the availability of such funds.
CSFP state agencies should address questions to their FNS regional offices, which may in turn contact the Policy Division, Food Distribution Policy Branch.
Diane M. Kriviski
Associate Administrator
Supplemental Nutrition and Safety Programs
Attachment
- Attachment A - 2024 Final Caseloads