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Resource | Policy Guidance on Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship (EO Order 14160) for Verification Requirements under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996

Currently, the federal government is enjoined from enforcing EO 14160; however, section 3(b) of the President’s order directs the heads of agencies to issue guidance to implement the EO, and the Supreme Court has now allowed that part of the EO to take effect. This document, consistent with the President’s direction, provides guidance about how to implement the President’s order when it takes effect for those children.

07/26/2025
Resource | Policy Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA); Interpretation of “Federal Public Benefit”

This notice sets forth the interpretation that the U.S. Department of Agriculture uses for the term “Federal public benefit” as used in Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. In doing so, this notice supersedes any prior interpretation in any notice or other document issued by any USDA agency. This notice also describes and preliminarily identifies the USDA programs that provide “Federal public benefits” within the scope of PRWORA.

07/10/2025
Resource | Policy FNS - SSA Joint Letter

The Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have news to share! SSA recently made changes to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, making it stronger and simpler for more than a quarter of a million older adults and people with disabilities. These changes could potentially increase SSI payments and allow more people to become eligible for the program.

12/10/2024
Resource | Policy Proposed Rule - SNAP Program Purpose and Work Requirement Provisions of the 2023 FRA

This proposed rule would amend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program regulations to incorporate three provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.

04/30/2024
Resource | Policy Memos WIC 2021-22 Income Eligibility Guidelines

This memo is inform FNS regional offices and state agencies of the release of the 2021-22 WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines. The 2021-22 Income Eligibility Guidelines are used by state agencies in determining the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in WIC. 

03/15/2021
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 | Policy Memos 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
Resource | Policy Memos Retailer Eligibility – Need for Access

SNAP regulations provide that the FNS must determine if an applicant firm may be authorized to participate  under "Need for Access" if located in an area with significantly limited access to food and the applicant firm has failed to meet the staple food requirements for eligibility under Criterion A or Criterion B.

07/13/2020
Resource | Policy Memos Retailer Eligibility - Clarification of Criterion A and Criterion B Requirements

To be SNAP-authorized, a store generally must meet one of two eligibility standards: Criterion A (staple food stock) or Criterion B (staple food sales). Staple foods are the basic food items that make up a significant portion of an individual’s diet and are usually prepared at home and consumed as a major component of a meal.

07/13/2020
Resource | Policy Memos Publication of the 2020-21 WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines

This policy memorandum transmits the 2020-21 Income Eligibility Guidelines for WIC that were published in the Federal Register on May 26, 2020

05/26/2020
Page updated: October 14, 2021