Grants for simplified application and eligibility determination systems and improved access to benefits

Subject to the availability of appropriations under section 2027(a) of this title , for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall use not more than $5,000,000 of funds made available under section 2027(a)(1) of this title to make grants to pay 100 percent of the costs of eligible entities approved by the Secretary to carry out projects to develop and implement supplemental nutrition assistance program simplified application and eligibility determination systems.

A project under paragraph (1) may consist of—

(A) coordinating application and eligibility determination processes, including verification practices, under the supplemental nutrition assistance program and other Federal, State, and local assistance programs;

(B) establishing enhanced technological methods that improve the administrative infrastructure used in processing applications and determining eligibility; or

(C) carrying out such other activities as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

A grant under this subsection shall not be made for the ongoing cost of carrying out any project.

To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an entity shall be—

(A) a State agency administering the supplemental nutrition assistance program;

(B) a State or local government;

(C) an agency providing health or welfare services;

(D) a public health or educational entity; or

(E) a private nonprofit entity such as a community-based organization, food bank, or other emergency feeding organization.

The Secretary—

(A) shall develop criteria for the selection of eligible entities to receive grants under this subsection; and

(B) may give preference to any eligible entity that consists of a partnership between a governmental entity and a nongovernmental entity.