This memo provides clarification on the application of Sections 751 and 752 of the FNS Handbook 310. The clarifications reflect long-standing review procedures and information previously provided in response to policy inquiries and during trainings.
This memorandum is to remind state agencies it is important for state SNAP QC staff to have access to WIMS. In addition, FNS encourages SNAP state agencies to regularly train all staff on the approved alternative procedures for all current SNAP waivers and demonstration projects.
This memo transmits technical updates to the FNS Handbook 310 issued through QC Policy Memo 24-03.
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 requires the SNAP QC system use a tolerance level to set a monetary threshold for determining which QC errors are included in the calculation of payment error rates. This threshold is adjusted annually to correspond with changes in the Thrifty Food Plan.
This memorandum extends the existing Quality Control face-to-face interview waiver through Sept. 30, 2025.
Per SNAP regulations, state agencies are required to disposition and transmit the results of all cases sampled for Quality Control review as either complete, incomplete, or not subject to review.
SNAP’s QC system uses a tolerance level to set the threshold for determining which errors are included in the national payment error rate calculation. The first year the TFP based adjustment will occur is FY 2015. FNS is adjusting the threshold using the TFP for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. FNS calculated the percentage change between the June 30, 2013 TFP (FY 2014) and the June 30, 2014 TFP (FY 2015). FNS has applied that percentage to the $37 QC tolerance level, which results in an increase to $38.
The SNAP QC system use a tolerance level to set a monetary threshold for determining which QC errors are included in the calculation of payment error rates. This threshold is adjusted annually to correspond with changes in the Thrifty Food Plan.
The purpose of this memorandum is to advise state agencies on the steps FNS will take to monitor and engage state agencies with poor SNAP initial application processing timeliness rates.
FNS regulations require state agencies to implement CAPs when a payment error rate is six percent or greater, a case and procedural error rate is above the national average, and five percent or more of the state’s QC caseload is coded as incomplete. This document outlines regulatory procedures for these CAPs to ensure consistency and emphasis on improving state payment accuracy.