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Resource | Policy Memos Commodity Supplemental Food Program: Revised Food Package Maximum Monthly Distribution Rates

This updated Distribution Rates includes new CSFP USDA Food items and removes the guide rate attachment for children, who were phased out of CSFP in February 2020, as directed by the 2014 Farm Bill. With this update, the Distribution Rates have been simplified and pared down to one attachment.

10/22/2020
Resource | Policy Memos TEFAP State Plan Requests and Allocations for FY 2021 Farm to Food Bank Projects

This memo is addressed to TEFAP state agencies and provides the initial allocations for FY 2021 Farm to Food Bank Projects. This memo includes details on information collections under OMB# 0584-0293 and OMB# 0584-0594.

10/07/2020
Resource | Webinars/Videos Online SNAP Retailer Expectations
09/15/2020
Resource | Final Rule Taking Administrative Actions Pending Freedom of Information Act Processing

This final rule amends the SNAP regulations to ensure that retail food stores can no longer use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process to delay FNS' administrative actions to sanction a retail food store for SNAP violations. Under this rule, FNS will process FOIA requests and FOIA appeals separately from the administrative action for all SNAP violations, as originally proposed. The processing of FOIA requests and appeals during the administrative and judicial review process will have no impact on when the agency can take administrative action.

08/25/2020
Resource | Policy Memos Retailer Eligibility - Prepared Foods and Heated Foods

This memorandum defines heated foods, hot foods, and cold prepared foods in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) retailer eligibility determinations. Only staple food products are counted toward a firm’s eligibility to participate in SNAP. Heated foods, hot foods, and cold prepared foods are not considered staple foods, and are not counted when determining if a firm meets Criterion A or Criterion B to be eligible to participate in SNAP as an authorized retail food store.

07/29/2020
Resource | Policy Administrative Review Guidance and Tools

The National School Lunch Program regulations specify the requirements for conducting Administrative Reviews. The documents on this page include the Administrative Review Manual and other documents and tools available for conducting these compliance reviews.

07/15/2020
Resource | Final Rule FDPIR: Two-Year Administrative Funding Availability and Substantial Burden Waiver Signatory Requirement

FNS is codifying a revised statutory requirement included in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. The 2018 Farm Bill at section 4003 requires FDPIR administrative funds to remain available for obligation at the Indian Tribal Organization (ITO) and state agency level for a period of two federal fiscal years. This provision was self-executing and went into effect upon enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill in federal fiscal year 2019. 

07/14/2020
Resource | Policy Memos Retailer Eligibility - Social Security Number (SSN)

SNAP regulations provide that the FNS must collect certain taxpayer identification numbers of retailers who apply to participate in SNAP. Acceptable taxpayer identification numbers include both a Social Security Number and any Employer Identification Number assigned to the firm by the Internal Revenue Service.

07/13/2020
Resource | Policy Memos Retailer Eligibility - Application of 6 Month Waiting Period

This memorandum clarifies the use of the 6 month waiting period for failing to meet SNAP eligibility requirements under Criterion A or B of program regulations. Section 9(c) of the Food and Nutrition Act and section 278.1(k) of program regulations require firms failing to meet eligibility requirements under Criterion A or B wait a minimum of 6 months before reapplying for SNAP authorization.

07/13/2020
Resource | Guidance Documents Retailer Eligibility - Firms Colocated with a Restaurant

This memorandum clarifies policy related to implementation of the final rule, "Enhancing Retailer Standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program," which amended the definition of "retail food store,"  to say that, when multiple firms operating at the same location meet certain elements, FNS will consider them a single firm when determining eligibility for SNAP authorization.

07/13/2020
Page updated: October 14, 2021