FNS Documents & Resources

SNAP helps low-income people buy the food they need for good health. SNAP benefits are not cash. SNAP benefits are provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM or bank card to buy food at most grocery stores. To get SNAP benefits, your income and other resources have to be under certain limits.

USDA proposes updating the regulations to refine categorical eligibility requirements based on receipt of TANF benefits. Specifically, the Department proposes: (1) to define “benefits” for categorical eligibility to mean ongoing and substantial benefits; and (2) to limit the types of non-cash TANF benefits conferring categorical eligibility to those that focus on subsidized employment, work supports and childcare. The proposed rule would also require state agencies to inform FNS of all non-cash TANF benefits that confer categorical eligibility.

The Food and Nutrition Service proposed to make changes to SNAP regulations to refine categorical eligibility requirements based on receipt of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits. 

Through this rulemaking,  FNS is codifying new statutory requirements included in the 2018 Farm Bill.

Through this rulemaking, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service  is codifying new and revised statutory requirements included in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 . First, the Department is revising the minimum Federal share of the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) administrative costs and State agency/Indian Tribal Organization (ITO) mandatory administrative match requirement amounts. Second, the Department is revising its administrative match waiver requirements by allowing State agencies and ITOs to qualify for a waiver if the required match share would be a substantial burden. Third, the Department is limiting the reduction of any FDPIR benefits or services to State agencies and ITOs that are granted a full or partial administrative match waiver. Last, the Department is allowing for other Federal funds, if such use is otherwise consistent with both the purpose of the other Federal funds and with the purpose of FDPIR administrative funds, to be used to meet the State agency/ITO administrative match requirement.

This study provides current information on adoption of scanning technology among small SNAP-authorized retailers to assess readiness for meeting the Farm Bill requirement, barriers and benefits to adopting scanning technologies, and costs for nonadopting retailers to comply with this requirement.

This memorandum implements requirements under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 and provides guidance to TEFAP state agencies on best practices to minimize food waste of privately donated foods provided to TEFAP state agencies and eligible recipient agencies. 

This information collection is requesting a revision to the previously approved burden hours due to program adjustments that primarily reflect expected changes in the number of SFMNP state agencies, individual/households (program recipients), and the number of farmers, farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSA programs, from year to year.

Section 4104 of the Farm Bill directs USDA to issue guidance to promote awareness of donations of apparently wholesome food by qualified direct donors protected under section 22(c) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. This guidance only applies to privately donated foods provided to TEFAP state agencies and eligible recipient agencies  and is not applicable to USDA Foods provided through TEFAP.

The attached questions and answers are in response to changes made by Section 4005 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, enacted on Dec.20, 2018, to the SNAP Employment and Training program and certain Able-bodied Adults without Dependents work policies.