FNS Documents & Resources

The Food and Nutrition Service proposes to amend its regulations to implement several work-related provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. This proposed rule makes significant changes to current work rules, including requirements for the Food Stamp Employment and Training Program and the optional workfare program.

This final rule implements three FMNP-related nondiscretionary provisions mandated in the William F. Goodling Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 1998. The three provisions pertain to the use of program income as a state matching fund source, elimination of specific state plan ranking criteria used to determine funding preferences, and use of expansion funds to increase the value of benefits to recipients.

This proposed rule would strengthen the requirements for operation of vendor management systems by establishing mandatory selection criteria; limitation of vendors; training requirements; criteria to be used to identify high- risk vendors; and monitoring requirements, including compliance buys. In addition, the rule would strengthen food instrument accountability and sanctions for participants who violate program regulations. It would also streamline the vendor appeals process.