The purpose of this memorandum is to advise state agencies on the steps the Food and Nutrition Service will take to monitor and engage state agencies with poor SNAP initial application processing timeliness rates.
This policy memorandum provides guidance on data sharing activities that support targeted outreach and streamlined certification processes aimed at increasing WIC participation and retention. It expresses USDA FNS support of data sharing, provides an overview of data sharing relevant to WIC, summarizes WIC program guidance on sharing confidential WIC participant data, and lays the groundwork for future guidance and resources to help WIC state agencies expand outreach and streamline the
certification process.
SNAP E&T program activity report form (FNS-583)
As part of the WIC innovation and modernization efforts to be funded under ARPA, FNS will fund non-competitive grants to WIC State agencies to complete projects aimed at improving the WIC shopping experience, which is a well-documented pain point for WIC participants. The primary goal of funded projects must be to improve the shopping experience, as evidenced by increasing the redemption of WIC benefits, improving customer satisfaction, and/or improving participant access to vendors, including for underserved communities and individuals.
FNS is committed to supporting WIC state agencies that are pursuing online ordering and online transactions. Bringing these shopping innovations to our participants is expected to improve the WIC shopping experience, increase equity in the program by allowing participants to shop like all other shoppers, and increase WIC benefit redemptions.
This Informational memorandum signals USDA FNS’ intent to set forth efforts in support of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The Act provides $390 million for FY 2021, to remain available through FY 2024, to carry out outreach, innovation, and program modernization efforts, including appropriate waivers and flexibility, to increase participation and redemption of benefits.
Form FNS-674 is used to request access to the USDA Food Program Reporting System (FPRS).
This memorandum clarifies the use of third party payroll sources for SNAP certification policy and quality control purposes. The first two sections of this memorandum apply to certification policy and the section titled Quality Control Considerations provides details on how to treat verification from a third party payroll source for QC reviews.
Section 6(o) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, limits the time able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) can receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to 3 months in any 36-month period, unless the individual meets the ABAWD work requirement or is otherwise exempt.
The final version of the FNS-366B that all states must use to report quarterly SNAP data.