what is fdpir

The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) is a program that provides USDA Foods to income-eligible households living on or near Indian reservations. It is an alternative to the Food Stamp Program (SNAP) for those living on or near an Indian reservation. The program is administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is locally operated through Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) or State agencies (SAs) . Eligibility for benefits is similar to the SNAP program, and funds are drawn from food stamp appropriations. To be eligible for FDPIR, households must be income-eligible and must be certified by ITOs/SAs based on national eligibility criteria. The income standards vary by household size and are based on 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines adjusted by the applicable SNAP standard deduction. Households must be recertified at least every 12 months; elderly and disabled households may be certified for up to 24 months. Households may not participate in FDPIR and SNAP in the same month. The program is one of 15 nutrition assistance programs administered by USDAs Food and Nutrition Service.