Written Information on and Referrals to Public Assistance Programs for CSFP Participants

Under the leadership of Secretary Brooke Rollins, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is prioritizing the clarification of statutory, regulatory, and administrative requirements, as well as strengthening strategies to encourage healthy choices, healthy outcomes, and healthy families. In support of these goals, FNS is issuing this memorandum to provide CSFP state agencies, including ITOs, with guidance on implementing 7 CFR § 247.14(a), which requires local agencies, as appropriate, to make referrals and provide CSFP applicants with written information on specific public assistance programs. The specific public assistance programs are:

1. supplemental security income benefits (SSI);
2. medical assistance under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, including medical assistance provided to qualified Medicare beneficiaries;
3. the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); and
4. beginning on Oct. 31, 2025, the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).

Methods of Information Sharing

CSFP local agencies may provide written materials in hard copy or via electronic means such as a link to a webpage, an email, or text messages to applicants.

State and Local Agency Coordination

FNS recommends that, as applicable, CSFP state agencies coordinate with the appropriate state agency for each public assistance program to ensure written information for local agency dissemination is accurate and up to date. Coordination may also occur between CSFP local agencies and entities administering the identified public assistance programs at the local level; for example, between a CSFP local agency and the local Social Security Office. For further information and applicable state or local agency contacts, see below:

1. SSI
   • SSI Information
   • Locate your local SSI office
2. Medicaid and Medicare
   • Medicaid information
   • Locate your state Medicaid agency contact
   • Medicare information
   • Locate your Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services regional office contact
3. SNAP
   • SNAP information
   • Locate your SNAP state agency contact
4. SFMNP
   • SFMNP information
   • Locate your SFMNP state agency contact

Considerations for the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

SFMNP is a federal nutrition assistance program that provides low-income seniors with seasonal benefits that can be exchanged for eligible foods directly from farmers, farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs (CSAs). CSFP and SFMNP work in tandem to serve the low-income senior population and help meet their nutritional needs. Connecting CSFP participants with SFMNP creates new opportunities for American farmers to connect with federal nutrition assistance programs.

SFMNP is administered by state agencies, which are responsible for determining months of operation, as the program may not be available year-round. SFMNP is not available nationwide and, in states where it does operate, may not be available in all areas of a state. CSFP state and local agencies may use discretion on when it is appropriate to distribute materials and make referrals to SFMNP based on program availability.

CSFP state agencies should coordinate with SFMNP state agencies to access up-to-date information on SFMNP and determine whether the program is accepting new participants within the state. If SFMNP is not available in the applicable area(s) or the state’s SFMNP is not accepting participants, then CSFP local agencies do not need to provide written information and/or referrals to that program.

State agencies should contact their respective FNS regional office with any questions about this memorandum.

Sara Olson
Director
Policy Division
Supplemental Nutrition and Safety Programs