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Resource | Policy SNAP Use of Nonmerit Personnel in SNAP Administration

This memo seeks to clarify existing policy and flexibilities regarding the use of nonmerit personnel in the administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

03/21/2024
Resource | Policy SNAP Online Application Policy Clarification

This memo reiterates and clarifies existing online application policy for state agencies. 

02/20/2024
Resource | Policy Use of Advanced Automation in SNAP

This memo provides State agencies with guidance on allowable use of advanced automation technologies. 

01/10/2024
Resource | Policy Standard Utility Allowances

States annually update Standard Utility Allowances (SUAs) to reflect changes in utility costs. When determining a household’s eligibility, states consider a household’s total shelter costs, including the cost of utilities. Since actual utility costs are often hard to determine, states can use SUAs, which are standard amounts that represent low-income household utility costs in the state or local area. SUAs may be used in lieu of the household's actual costs when determining eligibility and benefit amount.

10/01/2023
Resource | Policy Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Information

We adjust SNAP maximum allotments, deductions, and income eligibility standards at the beginning of each federal fiscal year. 

10/01/2023
Resource | Policy Memos SNAP FY 2024 Cost-of-Living Adjustments

This memorandum provides the FY 2024 Cost-of-Living Adjustments to the SNAP maximum allotments, income eligibility standards, and deductions. Under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, COLAs are effective as of Oct. 1, 2023.

08/03/2023
Resource | Federal Register Documents Notice of New Computer Matching Program

USDA FNS is providing notice of a new computer matching program (CMP) between FNS and the state agencies that administer SNAP. The CMP allows state agencies access to the National Accuracy Clearinghouse (NAC) as a tool to prevent individuals from receiving SNAP benefits in more than one state simultaneously, commonly referred to as duplicate participation.

05/25/2023
Resource | Toolkits State SNAP Interview Toolkit

This State SNAP Interview toolkit focuses on SNAP interviews, requirements and best practices. The interview is the most important step in the certification process for SNAP.

03/17/2023
Resource | Training FDPIR Household Certification Training Course

Welcome to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s Household Certification Training course for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. FDPIR is a federal program that provides USDA foods to low-income households living on Indian reservations, in designated areas near reservations, and in the State of Oklahoma. FNS developed the FDPIR Household Certification Training course to help Indian Tribal Organization (ITO) and state agency certification workers and their supervisors successfully administer the program.

02/18/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0012 FDPIR Federal Pandemic Unemployment Income Exclusion

On Dec. 27, 2020, the President signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021. This Act excludes federal pandemic unemployment compensation payments authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act from consideration as income for the purposes of determining FDPIR eligibility. 

02/12/2021
Page updated: October 14, 2021