Economic Self-Sufficiency Performance Mixed - FoodStamp Improvements Could Yield Federal Bonuses - Report 03-52

Sep 19, 2026

Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS) Program performance is reviewed for Florida’s Department of Children and Families, focusing on timeliness, accuracy, and return on investment. Although application processing timeliness improved, continuing high food stamp error rates led to federal penalties of over $2.2 million for Fiscal Years 2001 and 2002. The report notes potential federal bonus eligibility for Fiscal Year 2003 if errors are reduced, and explains that while fraud prevention and overpayment recovery returned positive investment, collections did not cover program costs for the past two years.

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oppagaJustification ReviewOctober 2003Report No.03-52 # Economic Self-Sufficiency Performance Mixed;FoodStamp Improvements Could Yield Federal Bonuses This report reviews the Economic Self-Sufficiency(ESS)program administered by theDepartment of Children and Families. Thereport # at a glance The Economic Self-Sufficiency(ESS)Programhelps low-income individuals and families becomeself-sufficient.While the program has improved itstimeliness in processing applications for services,its continuing high food stamp error rates haveresulted in Florida receiving federal penalties totalingover $2.2 million for federal Fiscal Years 2001 and2002.Improved performance could qualify Floridafor federal bonus funding beginning in federal FiscalYear 2003.While the program's efforts to preventand recover overpayments have yielded an overallpositive returm on investment,monies collected inoverpayments have not covered costs for the pasttwo years. ·evaluates program performance based ontimeliness,accuracy,and return oninvestment, ·assesses program efforts to avoid coststhrough fraud prevention and recovery ofbenefits improperly paid to clients,and ·makes recommendations for improvingprogram operations and enabling the state toreceive federal performance funding byreducing food stamp error rates. # Background——— Scope Florida's Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS)Program assists low-income individuals andtheir families to become and remain stable andself-sufficient.In Fiscal Year 2002-03,theprogram provided services to nearly 2.8 millionFlorida citizens.² Section 11.513,Florida Statutes,directs the Officeof Program Policy Analysis and GovernmentAccountability to conduct justification reviews ofprograms operating under a performance-basedprogram budget.Justification reviews assessagency performance measures and standards,evaluate program performance,and identifypolicy alternatives for improving services andreducing costs.¹ Client Services.The ESS Program helps low-income Florida citizens who meet eligibilityrequirements access a variety of servicesintended to assist them to meet their basic Justification Review needs.These services can be categorized asdescribed below. Food Stamps.The program determineseligibility for and issues food stamps to low-income individuals who qualify.Individualsreceiving cash benefits from TemporaryAssistance for Needy Families(TANF),Supplemental Security Income (SSI),SocialSecurity Disability Insurance (SSDI),andrefugee assistance payments automaticallyqualify to receive food stamps.Otherpersons who meet established criteria canalso qualify to receive food stamps.Foodstampbenefits are 100%funded by thefederal government.The state and federalgovernments equally share administrativecosts.On average,in 2002-03,ESS providedfood stamps to 1,024,692 individuals permonth.The program authorized $964,194,474 in annual food stampbenefits,averaging$924.90 per person. Cash Assistance.ESS determines eligibilityfor and provides cash assistance toindividuals who qualify for TANF andrefugee assistance.TANF provides cashbenefits to certain low-income individualsincluding adults with dependent childrenand children residing in foster care.ESS alsoprovides cash assistance to refugee adultsand families.Cash assistance to refugees is100%federally funded while the state andfederal governments share the cost of TANFcash assistance.On average,ESS providedcash assistance to 129,402 individuals duringeach month of 2002-03.For that same year,cash assistance benefits totaled $226,582,830and averaged $686.67 per person. ·Medicaid.Although administered by theAgency for Health Care Administration,theESS program determines Medicaid eligibilityfor Florida citizens.Like food stamps,individuals who receive cash benefits fromTANF,SSI,SSDI,and refugee assistanceautomatically qualify for Medicaid.In addition,Medicaid provides health careservices to other persons who meetestablished income and assets criteria.Medicaid funding comes

FAQs

What does the Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS) Program aim to do in Florida?

It helps low-income individuals and families become and remain stable and self-sufficient by providing access to multiple assistance services.

Why did Florida receive federal penalties related to the ESS food stamp program?

High continuing food stamp error rates resulted in federal penalties totaling over $2.2 million for Fiscal Years 2001 and 2002.

How could improved ESS performance affect federal funding?

Improved performance could qualify Florida for federal bonus funding beginning in federal Fiscal Year 2003, contingent on reducing food stamp error rates.

Sep 19, 2026

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