CSFP: Caseload Assignments for the 2026 Caseload Cycle and Administrative Grants

Under the leadership of Secretary Brooke Rollins, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is committed to providing timely customer service and clarifying program requirements for our state agency partners. In support of these goals, FNS is issuing this memorandum to provide CSFP state agencies, including ITOs, with their CSFP caseload assignments for the 2026 caseload cycle.

On Nov. 12, 2025, President Trump signed the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 (P.L. 119-37), which provides $460 million for the CSFP for fiscal year (FY) 2026. Based on this funding level and available resources, FNS is issuing a final national caseload allocation of 707,000 slots for the 2026 caseload cycle (Jan. 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2026). This final national caseload level supports the provision of full food packages to participants throughout the caseload cycle. FNS is allocating final caseload and administrative grants for 2026 to CSFP state agencies, including ITOs and U.S. Territories, as provided below.

Final Caseload Assignments

In accordance with CSFP regulations at 7 CFR Part 247, base caseload for the 2026 caseload cycle for all currently participating state agencies is equal to the higher of (1) average monthly participation for FY 2025 or (2) average monthly participation for the last quarter of FY 2025. CSFP regulations further provide that for each CSFP state agency, calculated base caseload for 2026 cannot be greater than total assigned caseload for 2025.

Current resources are sufficient to support each state agency’s base caseload for the 2026 caseload cycle. Additionally, because some states did not fully use their 2025 assigned caseload, total calculated national base caseload is 700,155 slots, leaving 6,845 additional caseload slots available for allocation.

The 6,845 available additional caseload slots are being allocated among all eligible state agencies that requested additional caseload. Each of these state agencies is being allocated a proportional share of the total available caseload slots based on its base caseload, up to its total additional caseload request. Where a proportional share exceeds any state agency’s additional caseload request, the remaining caseload is being allocated proportionally to the remaining states.

Per program regulations at 7 CFR 247.21(a)(2), CSFP state agencies must achieve a participation level which was equal to or greater than 95 percent of assigned caseload for the previous caseload cycle to be eligible for additional caseload, based on the performance periods referenced above.

Caseload Use and Food Orders in 2026

Program regulations require that CSFP state agencies ensure that program participation levels do not exceed assigned caseload on an average monthly basis. Each state agency’s caseload represents the maximum number of individuals the state agency can serve on an average monthly basis. To ensure sufficient food resources are available to serve CSFP participants throughout the year, any state agencies currently exceeding 2026 caseload assignments must work to reduce participation levels to reflect such assignments. At the same time, CSFP state agencies must attempt to fully use their 2026 caseload assignments.

State agencies must monitor monthly participation carefully to efficiently use caseload. Per CSFP regulations at 7 CFR 247.21, caseload assignments in 2027 will depend on resources available and each CSFP state agency’s caseload use this year. It is crucial that state agencies manage caseload and USDA Foods in the most efficient manner possible. State agencies are required to accurately track and maintain appropriate inventory levels at the state level. Regulations at 7 CFR Part 250 prohibit CSFP state level inventories from exceeding three (3) months on-hand without approval from FNS.

FNS regional offices closely monitor states agencies’ year-to-date participation levels and food orders, to ensure that state agencies do not exceed their assigned caseloads or over-order USDA Foods.

Administrative Grant per Assigned Caseload Slot

The Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (PL 93-86), as amended, mandates an administrative grant per assigned caseload slot to be adjusted each FY to reflect inflation. The mandatory grant per assigned caseload slot for FY 2026 is $106.03.

Attachment A displays final caseload assignments and administrative grants for each state agency. CSFP state agencies should address questions to their respective FNS regional offices.

Sara Olson
Director
Policy Division
Supplemental Nutrition and Safety Programs
 

Attachment

Attachment A - 2026 CSFP Caseload and Administrative Funding

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