This guidance describes $1 billion being provided by FNS to enhance local school districts’ ability to purchase foods for school meals by offering resources needed to address supply chain challenges directly to schools and school districts.
The previous version of this memorandum contained incorrect references to state agencies throughout. FNS is correcting this memorandum to remove the incorrect references and so that it more clearly and accurately reflects the federal regulations. This memorandum notifies state agencies and child nutrition program operators of the changes made by OMB to the federal informal procurement method, micro-purchases and the micro-purchase threshold.
As long as there is a national Public Health Emergency in place and the state has a state-level emergency declaration in place, states may opt to continue to provide monthly emergency allotments to their caseload. States have the option to provide a one-month EA issuance phase-out following the end of their state emergency declaration.
When the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency began in March 2020, FNS quickly responded by allowing state agencies to suspend requirements to conduct face-to-face interviews for QC active reviews. This flexibility was initially granted until Sept. 30, 2020, and then extended through Dec. 31, 2020. On April 30, 2021, FNS issued a memo that SNAP QC will resume nationwide starting July 2021, but provided state agencies with a blanket waiver of the QC face-to-face interview through Dec. 31, 2021.
Provides information on how states can request to implement or extend certain COVID-19 administrative flexibilities beginning on Jan. 1, 2022.
The Further Extending Government Funding Act of 2022 directs USDA to extend through the second quarter of fiscal year 2022 the temporary increase in the WIC Cash-Value Voucher/Benefit for fruit and vegetable purchases. The increased amount applies to all women and children participants and aligns with recommendations by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine.
The following provides guidance to state agencies implementing work-based learning activities as part of the state E&T program where participant wages are subsidized including programs where wage subsidies are not reimbursed with federal E&T funds.
This policy memo provides guidance on implementing subsidized wages in work-based learned activities in SNAP E&T.
FNS has used its authority under FFRCA to waive certain onsite monitoring requirements for the school meals programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program, so that programs can to maintain program integrity and support social distancing while providing meals.
This memorandum is in response to SNAP state agencies’ requests for guidance on existing regulatory flexibilities at 7 CFR 273.18 to help mitigate challenges in administering recipient claims resulting during the COVID 19 crisis. States are strongly encouraged to consider the regulatory flexibilities outlined in this memo to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of program administration.