FNS Documents & Resources

Welcome to the new SNAP Certification Policy Waiver Database. This waiver database was designed to help users find the information they need quickly in a friendly format. SNAP regulations provide that waivers may be approved under certain conditions, including when approval of a waiver would result in a more effective and efficient administration of the program. 

We adjust SNAP maximum allotments, deductions, and income eligibility standards at the beginning of each federal fiscal year. 

States annually update Standard Utility Allowances (SUAs) to reflect changes in utility costs. When determining a household’s eligibility, states consider a household’s total shelter costs, including the cost of utilities. Since actual utility costs are often hard to determine, states can use a SUA, which is the average cost of utilities in the state or local area. Different states may use different terms to describe these allowances.

This Departmental Regulation establishes the USDA's policy for ensuring positive and continuing notification of its equal opportunity policy to the public and USDA employees.

This part announces regulations under which the Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.

This part announces regulations under which the Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. The Child Nutrition Act of 1966 states in part that the Congress finds that substantial numbers of pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and young children from families with inadequate income are at special risk with respect to their physical and mental health by reason of inadequate nutrition or health care, or both.

State agencies shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining secure control over coupons and cash for which the regulations designate them accountable. Except as otherwise provided in these regulations, any shortages or losses of coupons and cash shall strictly be a state agency liability and the state agency shall pay to FNS, upon demand, the amount of the lost or stolen coupons or cash, regardless of the circumstances.

Under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, each state agency is responsible for the administration of SNAP in accordance with the Act, Regulations, and the state agency's plan of operation. To fulfill the requirements of the Act, each state agency shall have a system for monitoring and improving its administration of the program. 

 State agencies shall establish issuance and accountability systems which ensure that only certified eligible households receive benefits; that program benefits are timely distributed in the correct amounts; and that benefit issuance and reconciliation activities are properly conducted and accurately reported to FNS.

Household concept: A household is composed of one of the following individuals or groups of individuals, unless otherwise specified in paragraph (b) of this section.