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Resource | Policy Semiannual Regulatory Agenda, Spring 2025

This agenda provides summary descriptions of significant and not significant regulations being developed in agencies of the USDA in conformance with Executive Orders 12866, “Regulatory Planning and Review,” 13563, “Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review,” 14192, “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation,” and 14219, “Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's “Department of Government Efficiency” Deregulatory Initiative.” 

09/22/2025
Resource | Policy Use of Advanced Automation in SNAP - Revised

This memo provides state agencies with guidance on allowable use of advanced automation technologies.

02/24/2025
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 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 Letter to Governors - SNAP EBT Chip Cards

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a letter today encouraging all governors to invest in SNAP EBT cards with chip technology for their states.

11/15/2024
Resource | Policy Final Rule - Food Distribution Programs

This final rule revises regulations for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and USDA Foods disaster response regulations. This final rule makes improvements in USDA’s food distribution programs.

10/31/2024
Resource | Policy Letter to Commissioners - SNAP EBT Chip Cards

FNS is pleased to announce that the X9 Committee ratified and published revised EBT standards in August 2024. Finalizing these standards is a significant step towards modernizing SNAP EBT technology and combating benefit theft. These technical standards provide the opportunity for states to implement EBT cards with chip technology.

10/28/2024
Resource | Policy Proposed Rule Withdrawal - Disaster SNAP

This document informs the public that FNS is withdrawing the proposed rule titled Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that published in the Federal Register on May 10, 2016.

09/27/2024
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
Resource | Policy Memos SNAP - Publication of the Race and Ethnicity Data Collection Final Rule

Through this rulemaking, FNS aims to improve the quality of race and ethnicity data collected and to ensure program benefits are distributed without regard to race, color, or national origin.

12/20/2023
Page updated: October 14, 2021