The memorandum that follows is intended to clarify the three ways in which FNS measures timeliness of initial SNAP application processing. This memorandum does not represent new policy, but seeks to clarify the three existing data collection and monitoring procedures.
In order to ensure efficient and effective program delivery, this memorandum clarifies existing statutory, regulatory and policy guidance regarding the documentation required for a QC case file, second party reviews, state quality control requests for policy interpretations, and requirements for federal access to state systems.
SNAP’s QC system uses a tolerance level to set the threshold for determining which errors are included in the national payment error rate calculation. For FY 2017, the tolerance threshold will remain at $38.
The SNAP quality control system measures the accuracy of State eligibility and benefit determinations. In fiscal year (FY) 2012, QC's measurement of errors in cases that were denied, terminated and suspended was renamed from the negative error rate to the case and procedural error rate. The name change was accompanied by a new review process that takes into account customer service aspects of negative actions, such as timeliness and correctness of the notice, in addition to the accuracy of the determination.
This memorandum is intended to clarify existing regulatory and policy guidance to ensure awareness of our shared responsibility to preserve the integrity of SNAP's quality control system, based on findings from recent FNS reviews of state quality control operations.
This memorandum is intended to clarify existing regulatory and policy guidance to ensure awareness of our shared responsibility to preserve the integrity of SNAP's quality control system, based on findings from recent FNS reviews of state quality control operations.
SNAP’s QC system uses a tolerance level to set the threshold for determining which errors are included in the national payment error rate calculation. The tolerance threshold will remain at $38 for FY 2016.
Attached are questions and answers pertaining to Section 4021 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 on the use of performance bonus money for Farmers' Markets bonus bucks and the use of bonus money for contractor fees.
The Agricultural Act of 2014 set the Quality Control tolerance level for excluding small errors at up to $37 for FY 2014. In addition, the Act requires FNS to adjust the tolerance level for future years by the percentage by which the Thrifty Food Plan is adjusted under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.
This memorandum addresses recent questions about our April 15, 2014, memorandum relating to quality control errors and the establishment of claims against SNAP households.