FNS Documents & Resources

SNAP Questions and Answers Concerning the Trafficking Controls and Fraud Investigations Final Rule

In February, 2013, FNS published final regulations revising the definition of trafficking. It subsequently came to our attention that some states were not clear that upon its effective date, federal law takes precedence and states were expected to implement the new federal trafficking definition.

The increased focus on SNAP integrity has required FNS and the states to review their procedures for responding to integrity issues, specifically a clarification of FNS' responsibility when a state employee is found guilty of fraud while administering the program.

Strengthening SNAP integrity, rooting out waste, fraud and abuse so that federal dollars are used appropriately.

The purpose of this memo is to transmit guidance regarding the sale of, or intent to sell, SNAP benefits and/or EBT cards in public or online through web sites and social media. FNS considers the offer to sell SNAP benefits to be a violation of SNAP regulations.

This memorandum is to reiterate and clarify current policy governing intentional program violations as set forth in the Food Stamp Program regulations.

The following memo represents our position on the question of whether the head of household may be held responsible for an IPV when the household member that committed the IPV cannot be determined.

Cooperación del Programa de Cupones para Alimentos con investigaciones de fraude.

After a further review of this matter, and upon advice of our legal counsel, we have reconsidered our position on the use of the Request for Contact (RFC) to facilitate household cooperation with fraud investigations. We have decided that the RFC may only be issued by state eligibility workers and only when the state agency learns of a change in the household’s circumstances that calls into question the household’s continued eligibility for the program or its current level of benefits.