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Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance | FNS-GD-2020-0095 What is Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)?

Electronic Benefits Transfer is an electronic system that allows a SNAP participant to pay for food using SNAP benefits. When a participant shops at a SNAP authorized retail store, their SNAP EBT account is debited to reimburse the store for food that was purchased. EBT is in use in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam.

05/24/2023
Resource | Policy Memos FY 2022 State Management Evaluation Target Areas

FNS is targeting the areas of program operation listed, for state SNAP Agency Management Evaluations for the upcoming fiscal year. State SNAP agencies are required to conduct MEs for the target areas in the upcoming fiscal year.  

07/02/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0060 SNAP - Issues with Certification Materials Submission Instructions

This memo discusses SNAP applications and other documents being sent by clients to the USDA Office of Civil Rights instead of the appropriate state SNAP office. The memo outlines best practices states can use to make submission instructions clearer for clients.

10/11/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0037 State Agency Requirements for Required and Missing Verification for Regular Initial Applications

FNS is issuing this policy memo in response to inquiries about how state agencies are required to inform households about required and missing verification and how this interacts with other Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) requirements, including whether a state may close a case on the 30th day following application.

06/28/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2015-0039 SNAP Recertification Interview Scheduling Memo

This memorandum clarifies SNAP policy regarding recertification interview scheduling.

07/31/2015
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2014-0015 SNAP and ACA Q&A Parts I & II Memo

The attached questions and answers are intended to address state agency concerns about the effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on SNAP. 

03/18/2014
Resource | FAQs/Q&As | FNS-GD-2013-0038 2008 Farm Bill Q&As

Questions and Answers for the 2008 Farm Bill

05/09/2013
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2011-0003 Letter Method for Direct Certification

The purpose of this memorandum is to implement a provision affecting mandatory direct certification for children in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program households.

SP13-2011
01/14/2011
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2009-0084 Handling Multiple Applications Submitted by the Same Household

As more state agencies are able to offer households the option of applying for SNAP benefits online, the occurrence of households filing multiple electronic applications has become a more visible issue. FNS has been asked: must a state agency process each application submitted by a household in the application month, or may the state agency automatically deny the additional applications that follow the initial application submission? 

12/30/2009
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2009-0081 SNAP - Excluding the Special $25 Weekly Unemployment Compensation Payment - Questions and Answers

This memorandum transmits the first set of Questions and Answers that the Program Development Division has received about excluding the special weekly $25 Unemployment Compensation payments.

12/01/2009
Page updated: October 14, 2021