Gov. Heineman Accepts $1.023 Million Bonus On Behalf of
Nebraska’s Food Stamp Program

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman announced today that the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has received a bonus of $1,023,369 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for leading the country in processing food stamp applications accurately.

The USDA started this bonus program five years ago, awarding money to states for demonstrating excellence in administering food stamp program benefits. This is the fifth consecutive year Nebraska received a bonus.

“We are pleased that the USDA recognizes Nebraska as a top state for the work we do with food stamp applications,” Gov. Heineman said. “The food stamp program staff’s hard work and attention to detail continues to pay off. Their number one priority is making sure Nebraskans get the food they need for good health.”

Nancy Montanez Johner, USDA’s Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, was in Lincoln to present the bonus check to the Governor, Christine Peterson, CEO of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and Todd Landry, Director of the Division of Children and Family Services in DHHS.  

The USDA’s performance bonus program is based on two areas. First, the best payment accuracy rates, and second, low “negative error rates.” Nebraska was one of seven states named with best payment accuracy rates in fiscal year 2007. The “negative error rate” is a measure of a state’s ability to correctly deny individual food stamp applications or suspend or terminate benefits for participating households that do not qualify for the program.

“Nebraska had a zero negative error rate for the second year in a row, making us the best in the nation,” said Director Landry. “Low negative error rates mean that food stamp benefits are truly going to those who need them most. Our employees continue to make the right decisions when denying a food stamp application or closing a case.” 

The DHHS Food Stamp Program currently serves more than 121,000 low-income people. For more information go to www.dhhs.ne.gov and search for “food stamps.”