This document contains a correction to an interim final rule published in the Federal Register on Aug. 13, 2021. The rule codifies statutory requirements enacted by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. This document also extends the comment period for the interim final rule.
USDA is issuing this interim final rule to strengthen and improve the integrity and accuracy of the SNAP Quality Control system by codifying statutory requirements enacted by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 that was signed into law on Dec. 20, 2018.
On April 30, 2021, FNS issued a memo that SNAP Quality Control will resume nationwide starting July 2021, with special QC review procedures related to COVID-related adjustments, and provides state agencies with a blanket waiver regarding the QC face-to-face interview.
FNS would like to thank all of its state agency partners and stakeholders for their patience as the agency assessed its statutory requirements in light of the QC flexibilities provided to states by the Continuing Appropriations Act 2021 and Other Extensions Act. FNS has completed this review and has determined that the agency cannot establish national and state level payment error rates for FY 2020 and 2021.
This memorandum clarifies the use of third party payroll sources for SNAP certification policy and quality control purposes. The first two sections of this memorandum apply to certification policy and the section titled Quality Control Considerations provides details on how to treat verification from a third party payroll source for QC reviews.
This rule finalizes provisions of an interim rule entitled "Food Stamp Program: Non-Discretionary Quality Control Provisions of Title IV of PL 107-171'' published on Oct. 16, 2003, and a proposed rule entitled "Food Stamp Program: Discretionary Quality Control Provisions of Title IV of PL 107-171'' published on Sept. 23, 2005.
This memorandum clarifies FNS regulations and policies regarding the allowability of requiring payment and soliciting contributions (i.e., "payments" or "pay") in exchange for foods from FNS program participants.
Per CSFP regulations, participants are prohibited from receiving CSFP benefits and WIC benefits at the same time. However, there is no prohibition against simultaneous participation in CSFP and other FNS programs including but not limited to SNAP, TEFAP, and the SFMNP, provided the eligibility requirements for these programs are met.
The purpose of this policy memorandum is to clarify the responsibilities of the state administering agency and the state distributing agency with respect to ensuring compliance with requirements for donated foods in the National School Lunch Program, the Summer Food Service Program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
FDD has received several complaints recently about dried fruit and grain products that became infested in storage. Therefore, it is imperative that dried fruit and grain products are distributed to the end user as soon as possible after receipt from the vendor to avoid problems with infestation.