This rule codifies a new framework for determining distinct staple food varieties for meeting staple food stocking requirements for retailer participation in SNAP.
We published updates to the stocking standards required for most retailers authorized to accept SNAP benefits. Starting on Nov. 4, 2026, all retailers other than specialty stores (e.g., butchers, farm stands) will be required to comply with these standards or risk losing your ability to redeem SNAP.
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.”
We periodically examine SNAP benefit redemption patterns related to the timing, number, and dollar amount of transactions and the rate at which households spend down and exhaust their monthly benefits. These studies also report on the number of transactions made and the share of benefits redeemed at various types of stores.
President Trump made a commitment to the American people to cut wasteful spending, Make America Healthy Again, and to combat fraud, waste, and abuse—restoring common sense to government. Under the leadership of Secretary Rollins, USDA’s FNS has taken swift and decisive action to be representative of the change the American people voted for.
This memo provides state agencies with guidance on allowable use of advanced automation technologies.
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.
Retailer notice that SNAP EBT chip and tap cards will be rolling out soon in various states. As states plan to add chip and tap functionality to SNAP EBT cards, it is imperative that retailer point of sale devices be updated to successfully read these cards to ensure SNAP cardholders can redeem their SNAP benefits at their store.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a letter today encouraging all governors to invest in SNAP EBT cards with chip technology for their states.
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.