Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank

TEFAP Training

Training Summary

Overview of Training

• What TEFAP is• Rules/Regulations• Distribution Guidelines• How to complete the Take Food Home Form• Proxy• Monthly Reports• Scenario's

Overview of Training

What is TEFAP?

TEFAP Overview

What is TEFAP?

• TEFAP: The Emergency Food Assistance Program

• Federal program – supplements the diets of low-income Americans – includes elderly

• emergency food / nutrition assistance at no cost

How it works?

• U.S.D.A. supplies commodity foods to the States

• States provide food to local agencies– usually to food banks

• distribute the food to hot meals and food pantries that directly serve the public

Requirements & Guideline's

How it works?

Requirements

1.) Post Household Eligibility Guidelines

2.) Confirm a valid I.D. for each applicant

3.) Complete the Take Food Home form

4.) All USDA/TEFAP forms completed by clients must be kept for a minimum of 3 years. * Completed forms are subject to review by Foodbank staff, food donors and appropriate government agencies.

Requirements

5.) Be open a minimum of every 30 days

6.) And Justice for All poster must be visible to all clients

7.) Equality is the Law poster must be visible to all clients

8.) No altering or repackaging of any state or USDA product

Distribution GuidelinesAgencies:

• MUST allow clients access to food a minimum of once a month

• MUST post regular hours of operation and set procedures for referral and/or on call access

• MUST post the USDA Income Guidelines for recipients where the general public can see them

• MUST post USDA “And Justice For ALL” Civil Rights poster where recipients can see

Distribution GuidelinesAgencies:

• MUST post USDA “And Justice For ALL” Civil Rights poster where recipients can see

• Must complete a recipient’s self-declaration EACH TIME they receive food assistance

• Must submit a monthly statistical report by the 10th of the following:– the number of households with and without children – number of seniors 60+ with and without children – number of adults 18-59 with and without children – number of children under 18 – total number of people served

Distribution GuidelinesAgencies:

• MUST NOT require proof of income. Recipients only need a self-declaration of eligibility. A copy of the current eligibility. – Agency will NOT be held liable for ineligible recipients who receive a federal

food benefit by improperly self-declaring eligibility

• MUST NOT require a recipient’s social security number to receive (violates Federal privacy acts)

• MUST NOT charge fees, NOR ask recipients for donations of any type

• MUST NOT require recipients to be a member of any organization or participate in any religious services

Distribution GuidelinesAgencies: • MUST NOT require recipients to participate in any type of trainings

or consultations

• MUST NOT discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age or disability

• MUST NOT modify the self-declaration eligibility form

nor include additional information written or stapled to the form

• WILL NOT sell, exchange, use for personal gain or in any fraudulent manner any USDA commodities or other products obtained from the Foodbank

The TEFAP Form

TEFAP FormOhio Department of Job and Family Services

FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDED FOOD PROGRAMS ELIGIBILITY TO TAKE FOOD HOME

This box is optional for local agency use, check one:

A (Household with minor children) B (Household without minor children)

Name Address City

Zip

Area Code + Phone ( )

Number of people in household by age: age 60+ age 18 - 59 age birth - 17 Total

This table shows yearly gross income for each family size. If your household income is at or below the income listed for the number of people in your household, you are eligible to receive food. This certification form is being completed in connection with the distribution of food from the state funded program and/or Federal assistance through The Emergency Food Assistance Program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202)690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

This box is optional for local agency use, check one:

Full Service

Partial Service

Signature X

Date X

Full Service

Partial Service

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Date X

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Partial Service

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Date X

Full Service

Partial Service

Signature X

Date X

Full Service

Partial Service

Signature X

Date X

Full Service

Partial Service

Signature X

Date X

Full Service

Partial Service

Signature X

Date X

Full Service

Partial Service

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Date X

Full Service

Partial Service

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Date X

Full Service

Partial Service

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Date X

Full Service

Partial Service

Signature X

Date X

Effective July 1, 2013

Household Size Yearly Income

Monthly Income

Weekly Income

Read the following statement carefully, then sign the form & write in today’s date.

1 $22,979 $1,914 $441 I certify that my current gross household income is at or below the income listed on this form for households with the same number of people as my household. I also certify that, as of today, my household lives in the area served by this agency. Program officials may verify what I have certified to be true. I understand that making a false certification may result in having to pay the State for the value of the food improperly issued to me and may subject me to criminal prosecution under State and Federal law.

2 $31,019 $2,584 $596 3 $39,059 $3,254 $751 4 $47,099 $3,924 $905 5 $55,139 $4,594 $1,060 6 $63,179 $5,264 $1,214 7 $71,219 $5,934 $1,369 8 $79,259 $6,604 $1,524 Signature

X Date X 9 $87,299 $7,274 $1,678

For each additional person add

$8,040 $670 $155

Completing the TEFAP Form

• Name, address, phone number

• Number of people living in their household by age group

• No other information is required

• Agencies are not allowed to ask for social security numbers or proof of income

• First and last names are required – (last name first, first name last is allowed)

• Complete street address with apartment, unit or lot number

• Spell out city names in full. Not abbreviated

• If the client does not know their zip code, place a zero (0) or N/A in the slot

Completing the TEFAP Form

• Include area codes with phone numbers

• If the client does not have a phone, write no phone or N/A in that field

• All age fields must be completed and the total field must be completed

• If there is no one in the household for a particular age range, place a zero (0) or a dash(--) in that field

Completing the TEFAP Form

Completed Form

Sarah Doe123 Apple Rd.

Cuyahoga Falls 44223 330-555-9876

7/8/2010

8/28/2010

1 3 5

Sarah Doe

Sarah Doe

1

TEFAP Form Practice

Practice Form

Practice Form

Practice Form

Practice Form

• Name: Anna Sthesia, 46• Address: 2468 Sugarcreek Rd• City: Akron • Zip: 44305• Phone: 330.777.7777• Current Date: 3/15/2013• Additional people in household:

– Sara, 48– Greg, 13– Joe, 16– Keith, 6

Client Intake

Practice Form

Anna Sthesia2468 Sugar Creek Rd.

Akron 44305 330-777-777

3/15/2013

2 3 5

Anna Sthesia

0

• Name: Cliff Hanger, 27• Address: 1265 Cleveland Ave NW• City: Canton• Zip: 44722• Phone: 330.555.5513• Current Date: 3/30/2013• Additional people in household:

– Jennifer, 30– Katie, 12– Kevin, 18– Jacob, 3

Client Intake

Practice Form

Cliff Hanger1265 Cleveland Ave. NW

Canton 44722 330-555-5513

3/30/2013

3 2 5

Cliff Hanger

0

• Name: Robin Banks, 63• Address: 8823 Nold Ave.• City: Wooster• Zip: 44691• Phone: 330.222.2311• Current Date: 4/1/2013• Additional people in household:

– Amber, 3– Jerry, 4– Cole 5

Client Intake

Practice Form

Robin Banks8823 Nold Ave.

Wooster 44691 330-222-2311

4/1/2013

0 3 4

Robin Banks

1

TEFAP PRACTICEFind the mistake

TEFAP Form

The Proxy Process

TEFAP Form: Proxy

Example Proxy Letter

• Proxy: a person authorized to act for another

• Proxy must have a signed letter from the client receiving food stating they are picking up food on their behalf

• Proxy must sign his/her name on the client form - NOT the clients name

• Client (or proxy) enters signature and date. If the client cannot write his or her own name place an X in the signature field and the pantry worker or volunteer initials that the client cannot sign their name

TEFAP Form: Proxy

• Forms must be completed in ink so they cannot be altered

• The proxy form cannot be stapled to the TEFAP form

• The letter can be paper clipped and should be kept on file

• Have client come in once a year in July to update form

• Must call client one additional time throughout the year to ensure they are receiving Foodbank product

TEFAP Form, Proxy Cont’d

Monthly Reporting

The Monthly Report

Monthly Reporting• Statistical reports are required every month and are not

contingent on where your food comes from or the number of clients served.

• Monthly reports must be submitted even if you did not use Foodbank product and even if the number of clients served for the given month is zero.

Monthly Reporting

• Monthly Reports are due by the 10th of each month for the previous month’s distribution. • For example, a January Monthly Report would be due

February 10, and a February Monthly Report would be due March 10. There are no exceptions to this policy.

• Agencies must keep copies of Monthly Reports for three years.

Monthly Reporting by SectionsThe Monthly Report is broken down into five basic sections.

Depending on your type of agency and feeding program it may not be necessary to complete each section.

• The first section – All member agencies must complete this section of the Monthly Report. This section requests basic information about your agency name and the name of the person completing the report in case there are questions.

Monthly Reporting by Sections

• The second section – Food Pantries or agencies with Food Pantry Programs.

Monthly Reporting by Sections

• The third section – Meal Sites open to the public and Shelters.

Monthly Reporting by Sections

• The fourth section – Agencies that provide food as a supplement to their programs, such as group homes, drug and alcohol rehabilitation or youth recreation program.

• These types of programs are called Congregate and Residential Programs.

Monthly Reporting by Sections

• The last section – Any member agency wishing to provide additional information or to provide clarity on the reported numbers.

• If the you need an immediate response or attention to your written comment, please call your Member Services Representative.

Monthly Reporting Exercise

The Monthly Report

Scenarios

• No Identification/Drivers License• Outside of my service Territory/From

Cleveland, OH• Client refused to sign TEFAP form• Household Composition Changes• Client has had a birthday/change in age on

household composition

Scenarios

• Child comes to live with you for the summer• Fraud Suspicion• Makes too much money• Husband and Wife on the same form• Must be 18 or older/Letter of Emancipation

Scenarios

TEFAP Training

TRUE OR FALSE?

True or False

Each client receiving food must complete the TEFAP form with first and last name, address, including zip code, phone number and number of people living in their household by age group.

True or False

All food pantry programs and direct distributions are required to post household Income Eligibility Guidelines and use the Federal and State Funded Food Programs Eligibility to Take Food Home form as part of federal and state compliance?

True or False

All TEFAP forms completed by clients must be kept for a minimum of 2 years.

True or False

The form can not be altered in any way shape or form.

True or False

The TEFAP form must be signed and dated EVERY time a client receives food.

True or False

Agency representatives can write additional information on the back of the TEFAP form.

True or False

Agencies are allowed to ask for social security numbers and proof of income, such as a paystub or financial statements.

True or False

You can staple a proxy to the TEFAP form?

True or False

You should write the clients drivers license and SS# on the TEFAP form?

Best Practices

TEFAP Training

• Form Storage Retention

• Notebook storage

• Color coded TEFAP forms

• Volunteer written forms

Best Practices

• Typed and Printed

• PantryTrak

• Additional Participant Suggestions

Best Practices

Summary – what we covered• What TEFAP is• Rules/Regulations• Distribution Guidelines• How to complete the Take Food Home Form• Proxy• Monthly Reports

Review

Any Questions?

TEFAP Training