Guidance for Submitting CSFP State Plan Amendments per 7 CFR 247.6

This memorandum provides CSFP state agencies, including ITOs, with guidance on the submission of proposed amendments to CSFP state plans under regulatory requirements. Per 7 CFR 247.6, state agencies must have an approved state plan in place to operate CSFP. Once approved, state plans are considered permanent.

Program regulations at 7 CFR 247.6(a) outline that state agencies must submit proposed amendments to their state plans to the appropriate FNS regional office, when necessary, to reflect changes in program operations or administration as described in the plan, or at the request of FNS. This memorandum applies to state plan amendment requests that are temporary (i.e. for a defined period of time) or permanent. This memorandum does not apply to new state plans submitted by state agencies that are seeking to begin operating CSFP per 7 CFR 247.6(b) or to requests for additional caseload via submission of a state plan amendment. State agencies should refer to annual FNS communications regarding both new state plans and additional caseload requests for guidance on those processes.

State plan amendment requests must be submitted electronically to the appropriate FNS regional office for review. State plan amendment requests may be submitted at any time. At a minimum, the following information must be included in a CSFP state plan amendment request:

• A description of the requested change.
• A description of why the change is being requested.
• A description of the implications of the requested change, including if applicable anyrisks or program integrity concerns associated with the change identified by the state agency.
• Whether the request is temporary or permanent.
  • If temporary, a start and expiration date must be included.

Some examples of changes to a CSFP state plan that would require an approved amendment include, but are not limited to, those listed below. Please see 7 CFR 247.6(c) for a full list of requirements that must be included in a state plan.

• Increases or decreases to income eligibility standards for CSFP participants;
• Other changes to eligibility requirements or processes for participants or local agencies;
• Changes in the process to verify the identity of participants before receipt of USDA Foods; and/or
• Any other changes that will have a noticeable effect on program participants, the state agency, local agencies, and/or the operation of the program by the state agency or local agencies.

Proposed changes to state plans must comply with federal statute and regulations. FNS regional offices will review state plan amendment requests for compliance with existing federal statute and regulations. The FNS regional office will provide notification of the approval or disapproval of the state plan within 30 days of receipt and will notify the state agency within 15 days of receipt if additional information is needed.

To assist CSFP state agencies with submitting state plan amendment requests, an optional state plan amendment request sample template is included with this memorandum as Attachment A. 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

Attachment

• Attachment A - Optional State Plan Amendment Request Sample Template for CSFP