The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (the Act), as amended, specifies national eligibility standards and imposes certain administrative requirements on state agencies in administering the program. Information must be collected from households to assure that they are eligible for the program and that they receive the correct amount of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Information collected is limited to that necessary for the administration and enforcement of the SNAP Program. The Federal procedures for implementing the application and certification procedures in the Act are in Parts 271, 272, and 273 of the Title 7 of the Code of Federal Register.
FNS will collect information to determine the eligibility of households for the SNAP program and to determine the correct benefit levels for eligible households. If information is not collected to certify households in accordance with the Act or changing the frequency of information or reporting requirements as they relate to the application, certification, and continue eligibility of households would result in a direct violation of the Act and its implementing regulations. Further, benefits could be overissued or under-issued for a long period of time if necessary information is not collected or actions are not taken timely.