The USDA Food and Nutrition Service conducts a variety of studies, evaluations, and related activities that respond to the needs of policymakers and managers and help ensure that nutrition assistance programs achieve their goals effectively. This plan provides short descriptions of projects that are expected to launch in fiscal year (FY) 2025.
It reflects decisions by FNS program and research staff and leadership on the best use of available research funding to meet current information needs that are aligned with agency priorities to improve program efficiency, integrity, and nutrition. FNS developed this plan in consultation with the agencies of the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area.
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (the Act), requires verification of household eligibility for SNAP benefits, confirm household eligibility throughout participation in the program, and ensure that households receive the correct benefit amount. State agencies are responsible for determining the eligibility of applicant households and issuing benefits to those households entitled to benefits under the Act.
This memo reiterates and clarifies existing online application policy for state agencies.
SNAP helps people living on low-income buy nutritious food, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Through SNAP outreach, FNS works with state and local agencies, advocates, employers, and community and faith-based organizations, to reach people who are not currently participating in SNAP but may be eligible. Outreach efforts share information about the nutrition benefits of SNAP.
This notice invites the general public to comment on this proposed revision to the currently approved information collection for the SNAP-Ed Intervention Scoring Tool (FNS–885) and the SNAP Education Intervention Submission Form (FNS–886).
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.
FNS will collect information to determine the eligibility of retail food stores, wholesale food concern, and food service organizations applying for authorization to accept and redeem SNAP benefits and to monitor these firms for continued eligibility.
This guidance clarifies reporting expectations for the Certifications Section of the Program and Budget Summary Statement, Part B - Program Activity Statement (FNS-366B). This guidance replaces the previously issued guidance entitled Clarifications for Reporting on the Certification Section of the FNS-366B, dated Jan. 11, 2017.