FNS Documents & Resources

USDA’s authority to provide emergency assistance for its various disaster relief programs exists under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), Agriculture Secretary disaster designations, Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as well as other authorizing legislation. These authorities are identified in the various USDA program descriptions.

[As Amended Through PL 113–128, Enacted July 22, 2014]
To strengthen the agricultural economy; to help to achieve a fuller and more effective use of food abundances; to provide for improved levels of nutrition among low-income households through a cooperative federal-state program of food assistance to be operated through normal channels of trade; and for other purposes.

The SNAP Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program Interim Rule was published in the Federal Register on April 5, 2013

The sale or exchange of SNAP benefits for anything other than food sold by an authorized retailer is illegal – and is neither accepted nor tolerated by USDA.

Time line of the Food Stamp Program (FSP) to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

[As Amended Through PL 108–269, July 2, 2004]
To strengthen the agricultural economy; to help to achieve a fuller and more effective use of food abundances; to provide for improved levels of nutrition among low-income households through a cooperative federal-state program of food assistance to be operated through normal channels of trade; and for other purposes.

[As Amended Through PL 106–580, Dec. 29, 2000]
To strengthen the agricultural economy; to help to achieve a fuller and more effective use of food abundances; to provide for improved levels of nutrition among low-income households through a cooperative Federal-State program of food assistance to be operated through normal channels of trade; and for other purposes.

Making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2001, and for other purposes

To provide for reconciliation pursuant to subsections (b)(1) and (c) of section 105 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 1998. Title I—Food Stamp Provisions:
   SEC. 1001. Exemption
   SEC. 1002. Additional Funding for Employment and Training
   SEC. 1003. Denial of Food Stamps for Prisoners
   SEC. 1004. Nutrition Education
   SEC. 1005. Regulations: Effective Date

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
   TITLE I—Block Grants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families   
   TITLE IV—Restricting Welfare and Public Benefits for Aliens
   TITLE VI—Child Care
   TITLE VII—Child Nutrition Programs
   TITLE VIII—Food Stamps and Commodity Distribution