PR CASH NAP - Participant IC

OMB Control Number: 0584-XXXX
Expiration Date: XXXX

A.2 NAP Participant Focus Group
Protocol

PURPOSE: Assess NAP participants’ experiences with the cash and non-cash portion of their Family
Card 1 benefit, and explore potential impacts of eliminating the cash portion of the benefit.
I.

Introduction
a. Ground Rules
• Please speak one at a time.
• We are recording this session to be sure we can accurately remember what
everyone says. Only people working on the project will have access to the
recordings. The Department of the Family will not have access to the
recordings, nor the identity of the participants.
 Since we are recording, please speak in a voice as loud as mine and
avoid side conversations.
• I’d like to introduce my colleague _____ who will be taking notes today in the
event that the recordings are not clear. Again, these notes will be kept private
and will not identify anyone by name. We need to hear from everyone today,
but you don’t have to answer every question.
• There may be times in the discussion where you feel differently from other
people and we want to hear about that. There are no wrong answers.
• Please turn off your cell phones or turn to silent.
• If you need to leave the room for some reason, please leave so that only one
person is up and out of the room at one time- this will keep our group from
getting too small.
• I have a lot of questions to cover and therefore may need to interrupt you to
keep conversation moving.
• This session is confidential; your names will not be associated with anything you
say.
Do you have any questions before we get started? [TURN ON RECORDER]

b. Icebreaker
Let’s start by getting to know each other a little bit. Please go around the table and tell us:
• Your first name
1

Note, for OMB review, the Family Card is the EBT card referred to in Puerto Rico as the Tarjeta de la Familia.

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this
information collection is 0584-XXXX. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 90
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining
the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

• Your favorite food
• [MODERATOR INTRODUCE SELF AT END]
I want to tell you why we are all here today and why you were selected to participate in this discussion.
Everyone here is a beneficiary of Puerto Rico’s NAP. This is the program that provides residents like you
with benefits to purchase food [SHOW Family card]. Today we want to talk to you about how you
typically use your NAP benefit (Family Card) each month. I want to reiterate that I do not work for the
government, and I am not involved in running the NAP program. We are doing a lot of group discussions
like this across Puerto Rico and your input will help the government understand how real people, like
you, use NAP. I also want to make it clear that while we will be sharing your feedback with the
government, we will in no way tell the government who said what and your name will not be connected
to any of the information that you share with us.
II.

Awareness of NAP, and of cash versus non-cash benefit

Let’s start today by talking about NAP in general.
1. In your mind, what is the purpose of NAP?
PROBE: What is the goal of the program? Why does the government run this program?
2. Are there different types of benefits within NAP?
PROBE: When you go to the store, are there different types of payment options using your
Family Card?
3. How do you know which stores in your area accept NAP?
PROBE: Is there a sign? Word of mouth?
4. Is there any way to use your benefits at a store that does not accept NAP?
PROBE: Would you have to withdraw money at an ATM? Have you ever had to get cash back
from a retailer that accepts your Family Card to buy things at a store that does not accept your
Family Card?
5.
At this point, I want to make sure we all understand the difference between the different
types of benefit portions that NAP recipients receive each month. Each NAP recipient or
family receives a certain amount of money each month, and this amount is different for
different people and different size families. Despite the amount that you get, everyone can
access 25% of their benefits in cash- either from an ATM or from “cash back” from a retailer.
The other 75% can only be used by presenting your Family Card. So to make it simple, if you
get $100 in benefits each month, you can access up to $25 each month as cash. Does this
sound familiar to you? [SHOW OF HANDS]
6.
[IF APPLICABLE] Some of you mentioned before that you get cash back from a retailer or
use an ATM to get cash from your Family Card. Can you tell me a little bit more about how
you get your cash?
a. How easy or hard is this transaction for you? [SHOW OF HANDS FOR EASY VS DIFFICULT]
b. Do you usually go to an ATM or get cash back from a store? [SHOW OF HANDS ATM VS
CASH BACK]
c. Are there ATMs near where you live? [SHOW OF HANDS]
2

d. Do you ever have trouble getting cash back at a retailer using your Family Card?
e. Do you have to pay a fee to get cash from an ATM using your Family Card? PROBE: How
much? Does that impact your decision about using an ATM to access your cash benefit?
III.
Current purchasing practices
Now let’s talk about when, where, and how you purchase food for yourself and your families.
7.

Walk me through your typical food shopping experience.
PROBE: Do you do all your shopping at once? Do you get everything from the same store?
How frequently do you go food shopping (daily, weekly, biweekly, once a month)?
a. How far do you have to travel (can you walk to the store; do you have to drive or use
public transportation; do you have to ask someone for a ride)?
b. For how many people are you typically shopping to feed?
c. Do you usually go to superstores (e.g., Sams, Costco, Walmart), supermarket (e.g.,
Amigo, Pueblo, Econo, Plaza Loiza,), small grocery or convenience stores (e.g., gas
station food stores, Mom and Pop shops), specialty stores (e.g., baker, butcher) or
farmers markets?
d. During your regular food shopping, how frequently are you using your Family Card
(rarely, sometimes, always [SHOW OF HANDS])?

8.

What are some things that factor into your decision of where to shop?
PROBE: stores that accept my Family Card? Prices? Accessibility? Easy to get to?

9.

How easy or difficult would you say it is to get to stores that accept your Family Card?
PROBE: Would you say it is easy or difficult?
a. What are some of the factors that make it easy or difficult (e.g., number of stores in
neighborhood that accept the Family Card, transportation)?
b. Have you ever had benefits you wanted to use but couldn’t because of the difficulty
getting to a store that accepts your Family Card?

10.

How far do you have to travel to get to stores that accept your Family Card?
PROBE: minutes/ miles? Do you rely on public transportation?
PROBE for those who travel far: Does this impact how you do your shopping (e.g. frequency
of shopping, where you go)?
a. Do you rely on other people for help getting to the store (e.g., from friends, neighbors
family, retailers, community agencies)?

11.

Do you ever shop for food at stores that do not accept your Family Card? How easy or
difficult it is for you to get to them?
a. How often do you shop at stores that do not accept your Family Card?
b. How far do you have to travel to stores that do not accept your Family Card?
3

12.

Now let’s think about the two different portions of your NAP benefit: the 75% non-cash
portion and the 25% cash portion. Do you make purchases differently for each of these
segments?
PROBE IF NEEDED: Do you have certain things you purchase with the cash and certain things
you purchase with the non-cash portion?

13.

Lets start with talking about your non-cash benefit (i.e., your Family Card). What are some
of the things you use it for?
a. Perishable food (e.g., fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, bread, meat, poultry)?
b. Prepared food (e.g., sandwiches, salad bar)
c. Non-perishable food (e.g., canned foods, tomato sauce, dried beans)

14.

And what about your cash benefit- where do you usually spend your cash portion?
PROBE: what types of stores?
a. Do you usually spend your cash portion at stores that do not accept the Family Card, or
stores that do accept the Family Card?

15.

What are some of the things you use the cash to pay for?
a. Perishable food (e.g., fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, bread, meat, poultry)?
b. Prepared food (e.g., sandwiches, salad bar)
c. Non-perishable food (e.g., canned foods, dried beans)
d. Items other than food? PROBE for items other than food: What are some of the nonfood items you use the cash to pay for? (e.g., detergent, medicine, diapers, gasoline,
rent, utility bills, alcohol, cigarettes, personal hygiene items)

16.

What amount of your cash benefit do you spend on food?
PROBE: All on food, some on food, none on food?
Do other people you know use their cash benefit for things other than food?
PROBE IF YES: What types of things do they use their cash benefit to pay for? (e.g.,
detergent, medicine, diapers, gasoline, rent, utility bills, alcohol, cigarettes, personal
hygiene items)

17.

IV.

Impact of removal of cash benefit

Now I want to give you a scenario to think about. Imagine that next month, your benefit is the same
amount it is normally is, but that there is no longer a portion that you could use as cash. In other
words, it would all have to be used to purchase food from NAP certified retailers, and none could be
redeemed in cash.
18.
What are some of the ways that would impact you?
PROBE: No impact? It would have an impact on you? [SHOW OF HANDS]
a. How would it affect you?
4

PROBE: Wouldn’t be able to purchase certain items? Could no longer shop at stores that
don’t accept your Family Card?
b. Would it be harder to get food?
c. Would your regular shopping patterns change? (e.g., types of stores visited and
frequency)
19.

What about other people you know who receive NAP benefits, do you think removing the
cash portion would impact them?
PROBE: in what ways?

20.

[IF PARTICIPANTS DESCRIBED PURCHASING NON-FOOD ITEMS WITH CASH EARLIER]: For
those of you who said that you use the cash portion of your benefit to pay for non-food
items or services (give examples), would you have a way to pay for those if there was no
longer a way to get cash from your Family Card?
PROBE: Tell me how you would handle that situation.

V.
21.

Awareness of regulations
Are there certain things you are allowed and not allowed to buy with your NAP benefits?
PROBE: What about the cash portion compared to the non-cash portion? Are different
things allowed for those two segments?

22.
Conclusion
To wrap up, we have one final activity. [DISTRIBUTE BLANK POSTCARDS]. Please write a few
sentences explaining why you believe the cash portion of the NAP benefit should or should not be
removed. Remember that you would still get the same amount of benefit each month. Please only
put your first name on the card.
Thank you for your time today. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
[DISTRIBUTE INCENTIVE, COLLECT SIGNED INCENTIVE RECEIPT FROM EACH PARTICIPANT]

5

A.2.2.1 NAP PARTICIPANT FOCUS GROUP SCREENER: DISABLED OR
CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITION
1. Do you currently receive NAP benefits?
a. Yes [SKIP TO Q2]
b. No [CONTINUE]
[IF NO] Have you received NAP benefits within the last 6 months?
a. Yes
b. No. [THANK AND TERMINATE]
2. Do you do the food shopping for your household?
a. Yes, always.
b. Yes, most of the time.
c. Sometimes
d. No, someone else does this for me. [THANK AND TERMINATE]
3. How many people are a part of your NAP household (by this I mean, how many people did
you put on your NAP application and that you purchase and prepare food with)?
[ENTER NUMBER]
4. I’m going to read a quick list of different types of people and families that receive NAP
benefits. Please tell me if any of these descriptions
IF NO TO: 4. F, THANK AND
apply to you: [Select all that apply]
TERMINATE (i.e., participant must be
a. Single mother with children under age 5
disabled or living with a chronic
b. Single mother with children under 18
health condition to be eligible)
c. Grandparent raising a grandchild or grandchildren
under age 5
d. Grandparent raising a grandchild or grandchildren under 18
e. Living without a permanent place to stay, for example homeless or in a shelter
f. Disabled or living with a chronic health condition
g. Unemployed
h. Living in a group home with other adults
i. Living alone
j. Living with other people who earn money to support your household
k. You are age 60 or older

A.2.2.2 NAP PARTICIPANT FOCUS GROUP SCREENER: FEMALE HEAD OF
HOUSEHOLD
1. Do you currently receive NAP benefits?
a. Yes [SKIP TO Q2]
b. No [CONTINUE]
[IF NO] Have you received NAP benefits within the last 6 months?
a. Yes
b. No. [THANK AND TERMINATE]
2. Do you do the food shopping for your household?
a. Yes, always.
b. Yes, most of the time.
c. Sometimes
d. No, someone else does this for me. [THANK AND TERMINATE]
3. How many people are a part of your NAP household (by this I mean, how many people did
you put on your NAP application and that you purchase and prepare food with)?
[ENTER NUMBER]
4. I’m going to read a quick list of different types of people and families that receive NAP
benefits. Please tell me if any of these descriptions
IF NO TO: 4. A and 4.B, THANK AND
apply to you: [Select all that apply]
TERMINATE (i.e., participant must be
a. Single mother with children under age 5
a single mother with a child under
b. Single mother with children under 18
age 18 to be eligible)
c. Grandparent raising a grandchild or grandchildren
under age 5
d. Grandparent raising a grandchild or grandchildren under 18
e. Living without a permanent place to stay, for example homeless or in a shelter
f. Disabled or living with a chronic health condition
g. Unemployed
h. Living in a group home with other adults
i. Living alone
j. Living with other people who earn money to support your household
k. You are age 60 or older

A.2.2.3 NAP PARTICIPANT FOCUS GROUP SCRENER: HOMELESS OR
UNEMPLOYED
1. Do you currently receive NAP benefits?
a. Yes [SKIP TO Q2]
b. No [CONTINUE]
[IF NO] Have you received NAP benefits within the last 6 months?
a. Yes
b. No. [THANK AND TERMINATE]
2. Do you do the food shopping for your household?
a. Yes, always.
b. Yes, most of the time.
c. Sometimes
d. No, someone else does this for me. [THANK AND TERMINATE]
3. How many people are a part of your NAP household (by this I mean, how many people did
you put on your NAP application and that you purchase and prepare food with)?
[ENTER NUMBER]
4. I’m going to read a quick list of different types of people and families that receive NAP
benefits. Please tell me if any of these descriptions
IF NO TO: 4. E AND 4. G, THANK AND
apply to you: [Select all that apply]
TERMINATE (i.e., participant must be
a. Single mother with children under age 5
homeless or unemployed to be
b. Single mother with children under 18
eligible)
c. Grandparent raising a grandchild or grandchildren
under age 5
d. Grandparent raising a grandchild or grandchildren under 18
e. Living without a permanent place to stay, for example homeless or in a shelter
f. Disabled or living with a chronic health condition
g. Unemployed
h. Living in a group home with other adults
i. Living alone
j. Living with other people who earn money to support your household
k. You are age 60 or older

A.2.2.4 NAP PARTICIPANT FOCUS GROUP SCREENER: SENIORS
1. Do you currently receive NAP benefits?
a. Yes [SKIP TO Q2]
b. No [CONTINUE]
[IF NO] Have you received NAP benefits within the last 6 months?
a. Yes
b. No. [THANK AND TERMINATE]
2. Do you do the food shopping for your household?
a. Yes, always.
b. Yes, most of the time.
c. Sometimes
d. No, someone else does this for me. [THANK AND TERMINATE]
3. How many people are a part of your NAP household (by this I mean, how many people did
you put on your NAP application and that you purchase and prepare food with)?
[ENTER NUMBER]
4. I’m going to read a quick list of different types of people and families that receive NAP
benefits. Please tell me if any of these descriptions
IF NO TO: 4. K, THANK AND
apply to you: [Select all that apply]
TERMINATE (i.e., participant must be
a. Single mother with children under age 5
age 60 or older to be eligible)
b. Single mother with children under 18
c. Grandparent raising a grandchild or grandchildren
under age 5
d. Grandparent raising a grandchild or grandchildren under 18
e. Living without a permanent place to stay, for example homeless or in a shelter
f. Disabled or living with a chronic health condition
g. Unemployed
h. Living in a group home with other adults
i. Living alone
j. Living with other people who earn money to support your household
k. You are age 60 or older

A.2.2.5 NAP PARTICIPANT FOCUS GROUP SCREENER: SENIORS
1. Do you currently receive NAP benefits?
a. Yes [SKIP TO Q2]
b. No [CONTINUE]
[IF NO] Have you received NAP benefits within the last 6 months?
a. Yes
b. No. [THANK AND TERMINATE]
2. Do you do the food shopping for your household?
a. Yes, always.
b. Yes, most of the time.
c. Sometimes
d. No, someone else does this for me. [THANK AND TERMINATE]
3. How many people are a part of your NAP household (by this I mean, how many people did
you put on your NAP application and that you purchase and prepare food with)?
[ENTER NUMBER]
4. I’m going to read a quick list of different types of people and families that receive NAP
benefits. Please tell me if any of these descriptions
IF NO TO: 4. K, THANK AND
apply to you: [Select all that apply]
TERMINATE (i.e., participant must be
a. Single mother with children under age 5
age 60 or older to be eligible)
b. Single mother with children under 18
c. Grandparent raising a grandchild or grandchildren
under age 5
d. Grandparent raising a grandchild or grandchildren under 18
e. Living without a permanent place to stay, for example homeless or in a shelter
f. Disabled or living with a chronic health condition
g. Unemployed
h. Living in a group home with other adults
i. Living alone
j. Living with other people who earn money to support your household
k. You are age 60 or older

A.2.3 NAP PARTICIPANT FOCUS GROUP DEMOGRAPHIC QUESTIONNAIRE
1.

How old are you? _________

2.

What is your gender?
Male
Female
Transgender

3.

How many people are part of your NAP household? By this I mean, how many people does
your NAP benefit cover? _______

4.

Including you, how many people currently live or stay in your house, apartment or mobile
home? _______

5.

Did you work for pay at all in the past 12 months?
a. Yes
b. No

6.

Are you a single mother with children under age 18?
a. Yes
b. No

7.

Are you a grandparent currently responsible for most of the basic needs of any grand
children under the age of 18?
a. Yes
b. No

8.

Are you living without a permanent place to stay, for example, are you homeless or living in
a shelter?
a. Yes
b. No

9.

Do you have a physical, mental, sensory, or emotional disability?
a. Yes
b. No

10.

Which municipality do you live in?____________

11.

In addition to your NAP benefits, do you receive cash from any of the following sources?
a. Working, includes “odd jobs” that may not supply consistent payment
Yes
No
b. General assistance such as a welfare program (for example TANF)
Yes
No
c. Financial help from a community organization such as a church
Yes
No
d. Financial help from family or friends
Yes
No
e. Retirement pension (private or government agency)
Yes
No
f. Child support
Yes
No
g. Social Security Benefits (NOT including disability)
Yes
No
h. Social Security for Disability
Yes
No
i. Any other source
Yes : ______________
No