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Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

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The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) provides USDA Foods to income-eligible households living on Indian reservations, and to American Indian households residing in approved areas near reservations or in Oklahoma. Many households choose to participate in FDPIR as an alternative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), because they do not have easy access to SNAP offices or authorized food stores.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, administers FDPIR at the Federal level. The program is administered locally by either Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) or State agencies (SAs) on behalf of federally recognized Tribes.

USDA purchases and ships nutritious, 100 percent domestic USDA Foods, selected from a list of available foods including several traditional food items, to the ITOs and SAs. These administering agencies store and distribute the foods, determine applicant eligibility, and provide nutrition education to recipients. USDA provides the administering agencies with funds for program administrative costs and nutrition education.

The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) provides USDA Foods to income-eligible households living on Indian reservations, and to American Indian households residing in approved areas near reservations or in Oklahoma. Many households choose to participate in FDPIR as an alternative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), because they do not have easy access to SNAP offices or authorized food stores.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, administers FDPIR at the Federal level. The program is administered locally by either Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) or State agencies (SAs) on behalf of federally recognized Tribes.

USDA purchases and ships nutritious, 100 percent domestic USDA Foods, selected from a list of available foods including several traditional food items, to the ITOs and SAs. These administering agencies store and distribute the foods, determine applicant eligibility, and provide nutrition education to recipients. USDA provides the administering agencies with funds for program administrative costs and nutrition education.

To be eligible for FDPIR, households must be one of the following:

  • Residing on participating reservations, or
  • Income eligible Indian Tribal Households (see definition at 7 CFR 253.2) residing in approved areas near a reservation or in approved service areas in Oklahoma.

The ITOs/SAs are responsible for certifying households based on national eligibility criteria. The income standards vary by household size and are based on 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines adjusted by the applicable SNAP standard deduction.

Households must be recertified at least every 12 months; elderly and disabled households may be certified for up to 24 months. Households may not participate in FDPIR and SNAP in the same month.

For a summary of FDPIR eligibility requirements, including income standards and deductions, please visit the How to Apply webpage.

To determine whether you are eligible for FDPIR and to apply for benefits, you must contact the Indian Tribal Organization or State agency responsible for administering FDPIR in the area where you live.

Contact information can be found on the Food Distribution Programs contact list or by calling the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-348-6479.

Food Distribution Program

For more information, visit the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR's) homepage.
You may also email us at:
USDAFoods@fns.usda.gov

1-866-348-6479

10.567
Federally Recognized Tribes
Yes
Mandatory
Federally Recognized Tribes and Tribal Organizations, State Agencies
Yes
The average monthly participation for the fiscal year 2016 was 93,000 people.
No
No
Currently, 102 tribal organizations and 3 State agencies receive funding to administer the program and support approximately 276 tribes in receiving benefits through FDPIR.

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