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Resource | Policy Requirement to Accept Medical Statements from Registered Dietitians for Schools and Child and Adult Care Institutions and Facilities

On April 25, 2024, FNS published the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans that included minor updates to CACFP and SFSP to better align child nutrition program requirements. These updates represent continued progress toward supporting the nutritional quality of school meals, strengthening the CNPs, and advancing USDA’s commitment to nutrition security. 

12/30/2024
Resource | Policy Questions and Answers Concerning the Implementation of Regulatory Changes to Standard Utility Allowances (SUAs)

This memorandum covers questions related to provisions in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Standardization of Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowances rule and the implementation process. FNS plans to publish additional question and answer guidance in the following months.

12/20/2024
Resource | Policy SNAP – Revised Memo on Telephonic Fair Hearing and Administrative Disqualification Hearings Procedures

This memorandum clarifies that telephonic and virtual fair hearings and administrative disqualification hearings are allowed, reminds state agencies of related requirements, and recommends various best practices when conducting telephonic or virtual hearings. This memo rescinds and supersedes previous telephonic hearing guidance provided in FNS policy memos 82-14 and 83-05.

12/12/2024
Resource | Policy SNAP - Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits Excluded from Income

This memo addresses whether state agencies should count certain Medicare Advantage (MA) supplemental benefits as income for SNAP purposes. 

12/05/2024
Resource | Policy SNAP - Implementation of Regulatory Changes to Standard Utility Allowances

The final rule, SNAP: Standardization of State Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowances, was published in the Federal Register on Nov.18, 2024. This final rule amends SNAP regulations for calculating standard utility allowances (SUAs) and expands allowable shelter expenses to include basic internet costs. The rule also finalizes updates to the treatment of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program payments. This memo provides a summary of the final rule provisions.

12/03/2024
Resource | Policy Guidance for Accepting Processed Product Documentation for Meal Pattern Requirements

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide state agencies and program operators of the child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program, with additional information and clarification on the state agency monitoring process regarding the: 1) Child nutrition label, 2) watermarked CN label, and 3) manufacturer’s Product Formulation Statement.

11/07/2024
Resource | Policy Substituting Vegetables for Grains in American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Tribal Communities

On April 25, 2024, FNS published the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. While most provisions in the 2024 final rule focus on the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, this rule also includes limited updates to the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program to better align child nutrition programs requirements. These updates represent continued progress toward supporting the nutritional quality of meals offered through the CNPs and meeting cultural food preferences of program participants. 

10/30/2024
Resource | Policy SNAP Extension of Authority for Replacement of Stolen Benefits Plans

This memorandum is intended to clarify the impact of the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025  on upcoming SNAP benefit issuance and stolen benefits replacements.

10/04/2024
Resource | Policy Memos SNAP FY 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustments

This memorandum provides the FY 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustments to the SNAP maximum allotments, income eligibility standards, and deductions. Under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, COLAs are effective as of Oct. 1, 2024.

08/02/2024
Resource | Guidance Documents Guidance for Improving State Agency RPT Rates: Standardizing the Escalation Process

The purpose of this memorandum is to advise state agencies on the steps FNS will take to monitor and engage state agencies with poor SNAP recertification application processing timeliness rates.

07/31/2024
Page updated: October 14, 2021