FNS Documents & Resources

This is to advise you that we are expanding our criteria for the approval of waivers of the face-to-face interview at both initial and recertification. We also wish to note that since state agencies already may waive the face-to-face interview on an individual case basis based on a finding of hardship, we are now categorizing these waivers as waivers of the requirement that state agencies document hardship prior to utilizing alternatives to the face-to-face interview.

Protecting the confidentiality of food stamp applicants and participants has been an important component of the Food Stamp Program since its inception. While FNS has been aware for some time that a number of state agencies have been making use of group interviews in order to simplify office operations, recently regional pffices also have asked for guidance on various ways that group interviews might be conducted in their states. 

Memo regarding a court suit filed in the state of Alabama on the the proper treatment of situations involving severely disabled persons who do not purchase and prepare their food with the individuals with whom they reside.

The VENA Guidance is intended to guide WIC state agencies in developing policies and procedures related to all aspects of nutrition assessment.

The US Department of Health and Human services published its annual update of poverty income guidelines in the Federal Register of Jan. 24, 2006. 

Policy Memorandum No. FD-024, Household Overissuance (issued March 9, 2004), is cancelled. The guidance provided by Policy Memorandum No. FD-024 is contained in the newly revised FNS 501 Handbook (August 2005). 

The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act authorizes FNS to award $9,000,000 in FY 2006 to be used to assist states in implementing mandatory direct certification and other provisions related to certification and verification of students’ eligibility to receive free and reduced price meal benefits in the school nutrition programs.

The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004  requires school districts to directly certify for free school meals any child who is a member of a household receiving assistance under the Food Stamp Program.

On Dec. 8, 2004, the President signed The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005. This law contains a provision which excludes from consideration as income in the Food Stamp Program additional pay received by military personnel as a result of deployment to a combat zone.

Military reservists who are called to active duty may be absent from the home for an extended period of time. A reservist who is not living at home, but is residing elsewhere with his/her military unit, would not be considered a part of his/her household for FDPIR purposes.