Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Resource | FAQs/Q&As | FNS-GD-2019-0056 WIC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 are eligible. They must meet income guidelines, a state residency requirement, and be individually determined to be at "nutritional risk" by a health professional.

04/04/2023
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Elderly Simplified Application Project

The Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) is a demonstration project that seeks to increase participation among the elderly low-income population by streamlining the application and certification process.

12/16/2020
Resource | Proposed Rule Proposed Rule: Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the SNAP

USDA proposes updating the regulations to refine categorical eligibility requirements based on receipt of TANF benefits. Specifically, the Department proposes: (1) to define “benefits” for categorical eligibility to mean ongoing and substantial benefits; and (2) to limit the types of non-cash TANF benefits conferring categorical eligibility to those that focus on subsidized employment, work supports and childcare. The proposed rule would also require state agencies to inform FNS of all non-cash TANF benefits that confer categorical eligibility.

10/21/2019
Resource | Final Rule Correction: SNAP Student Eligibility, Convicted Felons, Lottery and Gambling and State Verification Provisions of the Agricultural Act of 2014

This document contains technical corrections to the Paperwork Reduction Act section of final rule entitled “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Student Eligibility, Convicted Felons, Lottery and Gambling, and State Verification Provisions of the Agricultural Act of 2014,” published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2019.

06/21/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0050 Q&As regarding Military Combat Pay

FNS is issuing this memorandum in fulfillment of the commitment made in the preamble of the SNAP: Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 final rule to provide additional guidance for state agencies on how to carry out the exclusion of certain military combat-related pay from income for purposes of SNAP eligibility determinations.

08/28/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0044 Eligibility Manual for School Meals

The manual provides comprehensive information on federal requirements, policies, and procedures, and is intended to help state agencies and local educational agencies accurately determine, certify, and verify children’s eligibility for free and reduced price school meals and free milk.

SP36 CACFP15 SFSP11-2017
07/05/2017
Resource | Interim Final Rule Interim Final Rule: Delay of Effective Date - SNAP: Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008

FNS is putting a stay on the effective date of the interim final provisions in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 final rule. The effective date will be delayed for 120 days to Oc. 5, 2017.

06/07/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0028 Q&As: Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act Final Rule Set #2

The attached questions and answers address the SNAP: Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 final rule. 

05/11/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0023 Questions and Answers Concerning SNAP: Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions

This memorandum contains questions and answers regarding the implementation of the SNAP: Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 final rule. Information includes the removal of the dependent care cap, copies of client applications in electronic format, the impact of the rule on administrative waivers, and telephonic signature systems. 

05/03/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2016-0101 Clarification on Characteristics of Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility Programs Memo

FNS is issuing this memorandum in an effort to clarify the characteristics of BBCE programs and the actions states must take to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

12/27/2016
Page updated: October 14, 2021