SNAP Institutions of Higher Education and Student Eligibility Rules
FNS is committed to ensuring that all eligible individuals receive SNAP benefits. One policy area that impacts eligibility is the statutory and regulatory restrictions that apply to students enrolled in institutions of higher education (IHE). This memo serves to clarify two elements of longstanding SNAP policy: which individuals are considered enrolled in an IHE and, therefore, subject to the student eligibility rules, and which students are exempt from the SNAP work requirements.
FY 2024 Priority Areas for State Outreach Plans
FNS strongly recommends that all states develop a SNAP outreach plan. In addition to increasing enrollment among eligible non-participating households, SNAP outreach can help reduce churn by encouraging existing SNAP households to recertify.
Replacement of SNAP Benefits in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023
USDA is aware of increased reports of EBT theft due to card skimming, cloning, and similar fraudulent methods. On Dec. 29, 2022, President Joseph R. Biden signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (the Omnibus), which includes provisions for the replacement of stolen EBT benefits with federal funds.
SNAP Extension of COVID-19 Administrative Flexibilities: January 2022 and Beyond
Provides information on how states can request to implement or extend certain COVID-19 administrative flexibilities beginning on Jan. 1, 2022.
State Guidance on Coronavirus P-EBT
USDA is committed to providing nutrition assistance to hard-hit families across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic. In support of President Biden’s call to action on hunger, USDA announced that it is increasing the Pandemic EBT benefit by approximately 15 percent, providing more money for low-income families and millions of children missing meals due to school and child care closures.
SNAP Provisions in the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act
This memorandum describes the provisions of the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act that affect SNAP. The Act continues funding for SNAP at FY 2021 levels through Dec. 3, 2021, or until the enactment of the applicable FY 2022 appropriations act, whichever is sooner.
SNAP Emergency Allotments (EA) Provision in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023
On Dec. 29, 2022, President Joseph R. Biden signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. Division HH, Title IV, Section 503(b), of the Act ends SNAP EA that were provided by Section 2302(a)(1) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The law terminates EA after the issuance of February 2023 benefits. Therefore, the last benefit month that may include EA is February 2023.
SNAP QC Review Clarification for Cases with Back-to-Back Certification Extensions in 2020 or 2021
FNS determined there are Quality Control cases in the Fiscal Year 2022 active frame with back-to-back certification period extensions that have been treated inconsistently by QC reviewers. This memo is intended to clarify the QC procedures for cases that were impacted by these extensions.
SNAP – Ensuring Timely Benefits to Eligible Households
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.
Federal Access to State Systems for Quality Control Purposes
The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify how federal access to state systems will be monitored by FNS.