FNS Documents & Resources

FNS is committed to increasing access to SNAP, one of the most powerful tools available to ensure low-income people have access to healthy food. Program informational activities, or SNAP outreach activities, are a critical tool to ensure vulnerable populations are aware of the availability, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and benefits of SNAP.

Through this rulemaking, FNS aims to improve the quality of race and ethnicity data collected and to ensure program benefits are distributed without regard to race, color, or national origin.

This communication is intended to provide states with information about a change in the FNS accounting process for obligating SNAP funds.

The purpose of this memorandum is to advise state agencies on the steps the Food and Nutrition Service will take to monitor and engage state agencies with poor SNAP initial application processing timeliness rates.

SNAP and Head Start are working together to identify ways to promote early childhood education and nutrition services. Joint messaging or outreach reduces duplication and provides new ways to increase child development and nutrition security for children and families.

FNS strongly recommends that all states develop a SNAP outreach plan. In addition to increasing enrollment among eligible non-participating households, SNAP outreach can help reduce churn by encouraging existing SNAP households to recertify. 

The purpose of this memo is to provide guiding principles that assist state agencies in meeting regulatory requirements. Effective engagement by state agencies with Tribes is essential to meeting the nutrition needs of citizens of Tribal nations.

USDA FNS, Tribes, and SNAP state agencies share goals to improve nutrition and health for American Indians/Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) through nutrition assistance and nutrition education.

FNS strongly recommends that all states develop a SNAP outreach plan. In addition to increasing enrollment among eligible non-participating households, SNAP outreach can help maintain enrollment for existing SNAP clients through the recertification process, including households who need additional support as state agencies transition from COVID-19 federal PHE flexibilities to normal SNAP operations. 

On March 11, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 providing support for American families, state governments, and communities to rebuild lives and respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency. This letter discusses important opportunities to support low-income families by advising them of the Child Tax Credit.