SNAP and POWER Policy Manual – 100 – Extended Menu

101 Purpose of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to promote the general welfare and safeguard the health and well being of the nation's population by raising the levels of nutrition among low-income households.
2. SNAP is benefits provided to the states by the federal government for issuance to eligible low-income assistance units to spend through the normal channels of trade on food and food items.

102 Purpose of the POWER Program

1. Personal Opportunities With Employment Responsibilities (POWER) is a time limited Pay-After-Performance program which assures families with a dependent child(ren) are working on a plan to become self sufficient.
2. POWER performance payments shall be used to purchase or make available:
   1. Food, shelter;
   2. Apparel and upkeep;
   3. Utilities, telephone;
   4. Personal needs;
   5. Recreation;
   6. Home furnishings maintenance;
   7. Miscellaneous medical;
   8. Travel costs;
   9. Housekeeping supplies; and
   10. Reading and education.
3. The program is funded with state dollars and with federal dollars through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant established under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 (P.L. 104-193), as amended by the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act and the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.