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SNAP Policy Guidance Q&As - FY 2012 Negative Review Procedures

EO Guidance Document #
FNS-GD-2013-0025
Resource type
Policy Memos
FAQs/Q&As
Guidance Documents
Resource Materials
PDF Icon Policy Memo (362.18 KB)
DATE: April 4, 2013
SUBJECT: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Guidance ­ Questions and Answers - FY 2012 Negative Review Procedures
TO: All Regional Directors
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

This memorandum addresses certain questions arising from Food and Nutrition Services' (FNS) publication of new negative action quality control procedures. On June 11, 2010, FNS published in final the rule entitled "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Quality Control Provisions of Title IV of PL 107-171". The rules affecting negative action quality control reviews were to be implemented effective Oct. 1, 2011.

Access to SNAP and better customer service for SNAP recipients motivated the change to the regulations in reviewing negative actions. An improperly executed negative action can result in misinformation to the household, which may block access to the SNAP program for the household. Untimely negative actions result in poor customer service. Correct negative actions result in enhanced customer services since the household receives accurate, timely and easily understood information. This results in improvements in the quality and efficiency of operations and decreases barriers to participation. FNS now reviews negative actions for their accuracy, understandability, and completeness including informing a household of all rights and responsibilities regarding the decision. Negative action reviews and the resulting findings will assist state agencies in identifying any problem areas and then implementing any improvements necessary to reach the goals of the SNAP program. As with any new rule, questions arose regarding the accuracy of the Quality Control (QC) review process. In some cases clarification of the certification policy rules were necessary to accurately report the findings for the QC Review.

This is the first in a series of releases of those questions and the resulting answers. This release deals with questions regarding the interview and accuracy of the household address. As finalization of the process is completed, subsequent questions and answers will be released. Both the Program Accountability and Administration Division, QC Branch and Program Development Division, Certification Policy Branch have reviewed and approved the answers to these questions.

Ronald Ward
Director
Program Accountability and
  Administration Division
Lizbeth Silbermann
Director
Program Development Division

 

Attachment
Page updated: December 31, 2021

The contents of this guidance document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.