This memo transmits technical updates to appendices B through D of the FNS 310 Handbook currently issued through QC Policy Memo 22-02
This memo transmits the October 2021 FNS Handbook 310 through QC Policy Memo 22-02. The procedures in this handbook are effective beginning with the October 2021 sample month.
FNS has estimated the number of new discretionary exemptions each state has earned for FY 2022. States that operated under a statewide waiver of the ABAWD time limit did not earn any new exemptions.
Annual update to the QC tolerance threshold for excluding small errors from the SNAP payment error rate. By law, the threshold is adjusted based on changes to the thrifty food plan. The tolerance threshold will increase from $39 in FY 21 to $48 in FY 22. This memo corrects the previous version that incorrectly stated the FY 21 threshold as $37. There are no other changes.
Any firm may request administrative and judicial review, if it is aggrieved by any of the actions described in SNAP regulations. The Administrative Review Branch ensures that FNS follows the provisions of the Food and Nutrition Act, SNAP regulations, and agency retailer policy, and that the agency's administrative actions are equitable and consistent.
On April 30, 2021, FNS issued a memo that SNAP Quality Control will resume nationwide starting July 2021, with special QC review procedures related to COVID-related adjustments, and provides state agencies with a blanket waiver regarding the QC face-to-face interview.
FNS would like to thank all of its state agency partners and stakeholders for their patience as the agency assessed its statutory requirements in light of the QC flexibilities provided to states by the Continuing Appropriations Act 2021 and Other Extensions Act. FNS has completed this review and has determined that the agency cannot establish national and state level payment error rates for FY 2020 and 2021.
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. Based on changes in the Thrifty Food Plan, the tolerance threshold will increase to $39 for FY 2021.
FNS will allow state agencies to suspend requirements to conduct face-to-face interviews for QC active reviews through Dec. 31, 2020.
The purpose of this memo is to reiterate the importance of state compliance with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program regulations, Prisoner Verification System and Deceased Matching System.