FNS Documents & Resources

FNS is issuing this policy to provide states with flexibility to serve Hurricane Harvey evacuees. States may choose to either serve evacuees through expedited SNAP rules or through the simplified program rules in the Evacuee Policy, as described in this memorandum. When applying the Evacuee Policy, states must use the criteria detailed in this memorandum for determining eligibility, household composition, verification, benefit allotments, and duplicate participation. This memorandum also outlines the reporting and Quality Control processes for cases processed under the Evacuee Policy.

This memorandum provides the fiscal year 2018 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) 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, 2017.

FNS has received many questions on the interim final rule implementing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training Program Monitoring, Oversight and Reporting Measures, published in the Federal Register on March 24, 2016. FNS released one Q&A in response to those questions on July 26, 2016. Since that time, FNS has received additional questions and is issuing this second Q&A to address them.

The attached questions and answers address the SNAP: Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 final rule. 

This memorandum contains questions and answers regarding the implementation of the SNAP: Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 final rule. Information includes the removal of the dependent care cap, copies of client applications in electronic format, the impact of the rule on administrative waivers, and telephonic signature systems. 

The memorandum that follows is intended to update earlier guidance provided to state agencies on the treatment of gift cards in determining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility and benefits.

This memorandum identifies and clarifies several statutory and regulatory requirements that state agencies operating mandatory E&T programs must implement to ensure adequate protections for SNAP applicants and recipients as well as proper administration of the program.

The memorandum that follows is intended to update earlier guidance provided to state agencies on the treatment of retirement accounts in determining SNAP eligibility.