FNS Documents & Resources

On Dec. 20, 2019, President Trump signed the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (PL 116-94), which provides $245 million for CSFP for FY 2020. Based on this funding level, FNS is issuing a final national caseload allocation of 736,110 for the 2020 caseload cycle (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2020). This amount is equal to the 2019 national caseload allocation. FNS is allocating final caseload and administrative grants as provided in this memo. 

This guide consolidates and underscores FNS policy concerning waivers of the ABAWD time limit and replaces its predecessor, FNS' August 2006 Guidance on Requesting ABAWD Waivers. FNS advises state agencies to use this guide to understand, obtain, and prepare evidence that successfully supports an ABAWD time limit waiver request based on relevant sections of the Act; federal regulations; and historical SNAP policy. As a result of the final rule, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents, that was published on December 5, 2019, the regulatory standards referenced in this guide are only valid through March 31, 2020. In order to have a waiver as of April 1, 2020, and thereafter, states must request a waiver that meets the new standards in 7 CFR 273.24(f) and should submit that request as soon as possible to their respective FNS regional office contact(s). FNS expects to replace this guide in the future. 

In order to update and streamline policy guidance for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP), the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is cancelling Policy Memoranda FD-010, FD-027, FD-028, FD-029, FD-032, FD-053, FD-055, FD-071, FD-073, FD-074, FD-083, FD-086, FD-087, FD-090, FD-105, and FD-115. The guidance provided by these memoranda are either outdated, obsolete, or otherwise captured in more current memoranda.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) recommends WIC clinics dispose of unused, returned WIC infant formula in accordance with state and local health and safety laws. FNS does not recommend donating unused, returned WIC infant formula to entities such as food banks or food pantries.

Under the statutory authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is administering a second year of the Trade
Mitigation Food Purchase and Distribution Program, now known as the Food Purchase Distribution Program (FPDP), to purchase up to $1.4 billion of FPDP foods. The bulk of this food is being distributed through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which is USDA’s primary outlet for foods purchased through market support mechanisms. These foods are being provided to state agencies in addition to TEFAP entitlement and bonus foods. Due to the increase in the total amount of food expected to be delivered to TEFAP state agencies and their eligible recipient agencies (ERAs) in fiscal year (FY) 2020, the USDA is making CCC funds available to assist with the operational costs of the receipt, storage, and distribution of these foods. Approximately $60 million will be available nationally to support TEFAP eligible recipient agency (ERA) operational expenses associated with FPDP foods.

The purpose of this memo is to revise obligation and liquidation deadlines for the Fiscal Year 2019 Trade Mitigation Program ERA Operational Funds, which were provided for phases 2-4 of the FY 2019 Trade Mitigation Food Purchase and Distribution Program, now referred to as the Food Purchase Distribution Program (FPDP).

The SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program, administered by all 53 state agencies, helps participants gain the skills, training, or work experience they need to enter, reenter, or remain in the workforce. The program is flexible. State agencies can tailor services and supports to the needs of SNAP participants and the communities in which they live. State agencies can, and should partner with other state and federal workforce programs to offer a continuum of services that help low-income Americans work toward self-sufficiency.

This memorandum provides information on current flexibilities in distribution procedures that are available for state agencies that administer TEFAP. 

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide updated guidance on the child nutrition program flexibilities available during unanticipated school closures. Schools may face unanticipated closures due to natural disasters, unscheduled major building repairs, court orders relating to school safety or other issues, labor-management disputes, or, when approved by the state agency, a similar cause. Unanticipated school closures prevent children from receiving educational instruction and the nutritious meals they would normally receive. The Food and Nutrition Service encourages school food authorities participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or the School Breakfast Program, institutions participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and sponsors participating in the Summer Food Service Program to use the flexibilities described in this memorandum to help ensure that children do not experience a lapse in food security when extreme weather or other events force area schools and child care facilities to close.

The attached questions and answers address the final rule implementation memo for lottery and gambling provisions.