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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 FDPIR - Applying the New Shelter/Utility Deduction and Calculating Net Monthly Income

This memorandum provides FDPIR administering agencies with guidance on how to apply the new shelter/utility deduction and outlines changes in the process to calculate a household’s net monthly income to account for the new shelter/utility deduction.

12/17/2024
Resource | Policy FDPIR Guidance on Changes to Household Eligibility

This memorandum provides FDPIR administering agencies with guidance on changes to household eligibility requirements.

12/17/2024
Resource | Policy FDPIR Net Monthly Income Standards - FY 2026

The net monthly income standard for each household size is the sum of the applicable SNAP net monthly income standard and the applicable SNAP standard deduction.

09/27/2023
Resource | Guidance Documents FDPIR Monthly Distribution Guide Rates By Household Size

FNS Handbook 501, Exhibit O shows the FDPIR monthly distribution guide rates by household size effective June 1, 2024. This document is commonly referred to as the "FDPIR Guide Rate."  

08/16/2023
Resource | Guidance Documents FDPIR, TEFAP, and CSFP Income Exclusions under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

This memorandum provides information on the exclusion as income of rebates under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 in FDPIR, TEFAP, and CSFP.

04/23/2021
Resource | Guidance Documents Categorical Eligibility (Revised)

This memorandum provides clarification regarding households determined to be categorically eligible for FDPIR in accordance with provisions at sections 4300-4320 of Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Handbook 501.

12/20/2016
Resource | Policy FDPIR - Student Financial Assistance (Revised)

The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify which student financial assistance programs are excluded as income for the purposes of determining eligibility under FDPIR. 

08/26/2015
Resource | Guidance Documents Revised Policy on Certification Periods for Zero Income Households

This memorandum provides revised policy guidance on certification periods pertaining to zero income households in FDPIR. FNS Handbook 501 provides that households who report zero income month after month must be asked as to how they sustain themselves and other household members.

05/13/2014
Resource | Guidance Documents Questions and Answers Related to the FDPIR: Income Deductions and Resource Eligibility Final Rule

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide questions and answers to help Indian Tribal Organizations and state agencies implement provisions of the final rule: Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations: Income Deductions & Resource Eligibility.

02/20/2014
Page updated: June 02, 2026