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Resource | Policy Memos 2022 Commissioners Letter - SNAP Policy on Public Charge

This is a letter clarifying public charge policy as it pertains to SNAP participation. The letter was sent to SNAP state commissioners in Jan. 2022.

10/19/2022
Resource | Policy Memos Joint Letter on Public Charge

This is a letter clarifying public charge policy as it pertains to SNAP participation. The letter is jointly signed by FNS and USCIS.

10/19/2022
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0037 DHS Letter - Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility

This letter provides key information about a change in the way the Department of Homeland Security is administering the public charge ground of inadmissibility.

10/19/2022
Resource | Policy Memos DHS Letter - Update to Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility Letter

This letter is an update to the April 12, 2021 letter that USCIS issued concerning public charge and how it interacts with the food assistance programs, including SNAP.

10/19/2022
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0012 FDPIR Federal Pandemic Unemployment Income Exclusion

On Dec. 27, 2020, the President signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021. This Act excludes federal pandemic unemployment compensation payments authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act from consideration as income for the purposes of determining FDPIR eligibility. 

02/12/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0036 Clarification of State Options for Determining Fleeing Felon Status for SNAP

FNS is issuing this policy memo to clarify state options and requirements relating to the determination of fleeing felon status under Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program regulations at 7 CFR 273.11(n).  

06/27/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0035 Changes to Martinez Fleeing Felon Test after Barry v. Lyon Decision

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program  regulations at 7 CFR 273.11(n) require state agencies to choose between two tests to establish fleeing felon status: the four-part test and the alternative test, often called the Martinez test. This policy memo clarifies changes in the Martinez test necessitated by the Walter Barry, et al. v. Nick Lyon decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

06/27/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0028 Q&As: Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act Final Rule Set #2

The attached questions and answers address the SNAP: Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 final rule. 

05/11/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2015-0034 Same Sex Marriage and SNAP Mandatory Household

This memorandum restates the FNS policy on the treatment of same-sex marriages with regard to Section 3(m)(2) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended.

07/15/2015
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2014-0044 Impact of the Defense of Marriage Act on SNAP Eligibility - Revised

This memorandum provides guidance on the household status of same-sex married couples in light of the United States Supreme Court's June 26, 2013, decision in United States v. Windsor (Windsor) for purposes of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility.

05/27/2014
Page updated: October 14, 2021