The Program Access Index (PAI) is one of the measures FNS uses to reward states for high performance in the administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Performance awards were authorized by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (also known as the 2002 Farm Bill). The PAI is designed to indicate the degree to which low-income people have access to SNAP benefits. The purpose of this step-by-step guide is to describe the calculation of the Program Access Index (PAI) in detail. It includes all of the data, adjustments, and calculations used in determining the PAI for every state.

The Program Access Index (PAI) is one of the measures the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) uses to reward States for high performance in the administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (also known as the 2002 Farm Bill) directed USDA to establish a number of indicators of effective program performance and to award bonus payments to States with the best and most improved performance. The PAI is designed to indicate the degree to which low-income people have access to SNAP benefits.