FNS Documents & Resources

This memo seeks to clarify existing policy and flexibilities regarding the use of nonmerit personnel in the administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

This memo reiterates and clarifies existing online application policy for state agencies. 

This memo provides State agencies with guidance on allowable use of advanced automation technologies. 

This memorandum provides a reminder to state agencies that under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, all eligible households must have the opportunity to participate in SNAP within 30 days of application or seven days if they are entitled to expedited service.

This landmark rule establishes requirements for state agencies to use the NAC, an innovative technology-based solution designed to identify and prevent duplicate participation. As a result, this rule takes significant steps to both enhance program integrity by reducing the risk of improper payments and improve customer service by requiring state agencies to take timely action to resolve NAC matches. 

USDA FNS, Tribes, and SNAP state agencies share goals to improve nutrition and health for American Indians/Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) through nutrition assistance and nutrition education.

This is a new collection to consolidate and improve SNAP-Ed data collecting and reporting, as required in the 2018 Farm Bill.

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.

On Oct. 6, 2017, we issued a memo regarding SNAP applicants and households who are sending certification materials to the USDA instead of the appropriate SNAP state agency for processing.

Consistent with USDA's efforts to increase state flexibility within the bounds of the law, FNS is expanding allowable activities for states seeking to use non-merit system personnel in call centers. With FNS approval, states may now use non-merit personnel to provide basic case-specific information that is readily available in the system to a SNAP applicant or participant, such as application or case status, benefit issuance date, and status of submitted verifications.