Program Description

This Program was implemented in Puerto Rico on July 1, 1982 by an amendment to Food Stamps Act (Act 95-113). Said amendment is known as the Omnibus Reconciliation Act (Act 97-35 of August 13, 1981).

It is responsible for providing economic assistance to low income families and for providing them with a mechanism for acquiring food. Among its functions are furnishing nutritional benefits and providing nutritional education. The benefits supplied are for purchasing food from establishments and prepared food estalishments certified by the agency.

Other programs dedicated to food services for families are the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Statistical Data	2011	2012	2013
Benefits granted (in thousands)	1,907,223	1,920,000	1,920,000
Customers served (Families)	644,172	675,000	675,000
Customers served (Persons)	1,352,536	1,395,000	1,395,000

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget preparation process.

Customers

Low income families

Program Description

The TANF Program is a product of Act 104-93 of August 22, 1996, the Personal Responsibility Reconciliation and Employment Opportunity Act, (Welfare Reform Act), which was reauthorized under the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act, effective February 2008.

It provides financial aid to people or families with low income. Financial assistance is provided so that the families are able to end their dependency on the government and become self-sufficient by acquiring the necessary skills to succeed in their jobs and marriages.

It also provides financial assistance to people 65 and older, the blind, disabled people over 18, adults with temporary or lifelong disabilities, people under 18 with lifelong disabilities living with an adult and children living with guardians.

Statistical Data	2011	2012	2013
Benefits granted (in thousands)	69,947	70,000	70,000
Customers served (Families)	49,803	50,000	50,000
Customers served (Individuals)	76,275	70,000	70,000

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget preparation process.

Customers

Low-income families and people

Program Description

The Economic and Social Rehabilitation for Families in Extreme Poverty Program was created from the following legal principles: Act No. 171 of June, 1968, as amended, known as the Department of the Family Act that empowered the development of programs intended to solve or mitigate social problems in Puerto Rico; Executive Order 5019-A of November 2, 1987, which created the Economic and Social Rehabilitation for Families in Extreme Poverty Program under the Administration for Socio-economic Development of the Family and Act 135 - 1997, known as the Puerto Rico Tax Incentives Act of 1998, as amended.

This program is intended to improve the living conditions of families in isolated communities and other sectors of poverty by offering them educational opportunities and professional development that promotes self-sufficiency and community empowerment.

Statistical Data	2011	2012	2013
Customers served	6,256	6,300	6,300
Customers served (families)	1,985	2,000	2,000

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget preparation process.

Customers

Social and Economically disadvantaged families and people

FISCAL YEAR 2012-2013 PROPOSED BUDGET

The proposed consolidated budget for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 is $2,181,830,000. This amount includes $90,725,000 from the Joint Resolution - General Fund, $850,000 from State Special Funds, $1,925,151,000 in Federal Grants and $165,104 in ARRA Funds.

Operational expenses reflect a decrease of $5,617,000 when compared to funds assigned in fiscal year 2011-2012 due to a reduction in rent paid to the Public Buildings Authority for the use of their facilities. Additionally, there was a reduction or redistribution of other resources in order to meet agency needs.

Funds from the Joint Resolution - General Fund will provide opportunities for the development of socially and economically disadvantage people and will allow them to attain self-sufficiency and social integration. In addition, it will allow the Agency to move ahead with its programmatic initiatives and priorities, provide services and cover operational expenses.

State Special Funds are assigned through Act 135-1997, known as the Puerto Rico Tax Incentives Act of 1998, as amended, which created the Economic Development Special Fund. These funds will enable families living in extreme poverty to obtain and manage their resources allowing them to cover basic needs and improve their quality of life.

Some of the contributing federal programs are: Child and Adult Care Food Program, Nutrition Assistance for Puerto Rico (NAP), Emergency Food Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and the Low Income Energy Assistance. Per the ARRA Act, the Administration can receive these and other grants to assist low income families.

SUMMARY OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES