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Resource | Policy Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Information

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

10/01/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Summer Food Service Program Questions and Answers - Revised

This guidance updates previously issued Questions and Answers to clarify SFSP requirements. It supersedes SFSP 05-2017, Summer Food Service Program Questions and Answers, Dec. 1, 2016.

SFSP 05-2017
09/28/2023
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance | FNS-GD-2020-0093 SNAP COVID-19 Emergency Allotments Guidance

USDA has issued guidance to states in implementing FFCRA of 2020 which provides for the issuance of emergency allotments based on a public health emergency declaration by the Secretary of HHS under the Public Health Service Act related to an outbreak of COVID-19 when a state has also issued an emergency or disaster declaration.

03/07/2023
Resource | Policy Memos SNAP – Emergency Allotments

As long as there is a national Public Health Emergency in place and the state has a state-level emergency declaration in place, states may opt to continue to provide monthly emergency allotments to their caseload. States have the option to provide a one-month EA issuance phase-out following the end of their state emergency declaration.

12/14/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0087 SNAP FY 2022 Cost-of-Living Adjustments

This memorandum provides the federal FY 2022 Cost-of-Living Adjustments to the SNAP maximum allotments for the 48 contiguous states and D.C., Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, COLAs are effective as of Oct. 1, 2021.

08/16/2021
Resource | Policy Memos Return of FY 2021 Administrative Funds for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

This document is addressed to TEFAP state agencies and provides guidance that the FY 2022 reallocation process for TEFAP administrative funds will be suspended and state agencies will receive any unused regularly appropriated FY 2021 TEFAP administrative funds for use in FY 2022.

07/13/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0061 Department of Education Information on the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

Households with a child  approved to receive free or reduced price meals under the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program during the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year are eligible for the Federal Communication Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit. EBB is a federal program to help eligible families pay for internet service during the pandemic.

SP 12-2021
05/19/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0126 SNAP - Waive Fair Hearing Timelines Guidance

FNS is allowing states flexibility regarding fair hearing timeframes. As needed, state agencies may extend the fair hearings process up to 120 days from receipt of the request for fair hearings that were already in process or for which requests are received from March 1 through May 31, 2020.

05/13/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0127 Temporary Suspension of Claims Collections Guidance

FNS will allow state agencies to suspend SNAP regulations by allowing flexibility in the time frame for establishing or disposing of new claims as well as by not requiring collection of active recoupment of SNAP overpayments, delaying collection on newly established overpayments, and not considering any payments delayed due to this suspension to be delinquent.

04/21/2021
Resource | Policy Memos CSFP Caseload Assignments for the 2021 Caseload Cycle and Administrative Grants

The 2021 CSFP Allocation Memorandum includes the 2021 caseload allocations for state agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations based on FY 2020 participation and the level of funding provided in the FY 2021 appropriations. 

02/19/2021
Page updated: October 14, 2021