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Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0007 Revised Guidance for Use of Vendor/Private Staff in Call Centers: 2020 Update

Building on best practices to date and consistent with USDA’s efforts to improve customer service and increase state flexibility within the bounds of the law, while continuing to encourage states as laboratories of innovation, FNS is once again expanding allowable activities for states seeking to use vendor/private staff in call centers

02/06/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0023 Issues with Application Materials Submission Instructions

On Oct. 6, 2017, we issued a memo regarding SNAP applicants and households who are sending certification materials to the USDA instead of the appropriate SNAP state agency for processing.

03/13/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0004 Flexibility for the Administrative Review Cycle Requirement

In school year 2013-14, FNS introduced the unified administrative review and a 3-year review cycle. Since then, FNS has received feedback about the difficulties of the shorter review cycle, both for the state agencies conducting the reviews, and for school food authorities preparing for and responding to reviews.

SP12-2019
02/22/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0065 Revised Non-Merit System Personnel Guidance for Call Centers

Consistent with USDA's efforts to increase state flexibility within the bounds of the law, FNS is expanding allowable activities for states seeking to use non-merit system personnel in call centers. With FNS approval, states may now use non-merit personnel to provide basic case-specific information that is readily available in the system to a SNAP applicant or participant, such as application or case status, benefit issuance date, and status of submitted verifications. 

12/19/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0060 SNAP - Issues with Certification Materials Submission Instructions

This memo discusses SNAP applications and other documents being sent by clients to the USDA Office of Civil Rights instead of the appropriate state SNAP office. The memo outlines best practices states can use to make submission instructions clearer for clients.

10/11/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2014-0046 Best Practices in Developing Effective SNAP Client Notices

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide regional offices and state agencies with information that can help them examine and revise client notices of denial and termination to improve SNAP customer service and program access.

06/02/2014
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2010-0014 Clarification on SNAP Eligibility for Haitians granted Temporary Protected Status

Food and Nutrition Service has received multiple inquiries as to whether certain Haitian nationals granted Temporary Protected Status are eligible for SNAP benefits.

03/30/2010
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2010-0005 Humanitarian Parole Policy for Certain Haitian Orphans

The purpose of this memo is to clarify SNAP eligibility for certain Haitian orphans.

02/19/2010
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2009-0008 SNAP Household's Review of Information in Automated Systems (Revised)

This memorandum is an updating of our policies when a state agency electronically records information from on-line electronic applications and interactive applications.

02/03/2009
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2007-0016 Use of Federal E&T Funds to Serve Individuals in State Programs Funded With TANF MOE Funds

The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify a situation that has arisen in which a state agency is using federal funds to provide Food Stamp Employment and Training (E&T) program services to individuals receiving cash assistance funded by expenditures of state funds that count toward meeting the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) maintenance–of–effort (MOE) requirements.

03/22/2007
Page updated: October 14, 2021