Protecting the confidentiality of food stamp applicants and participants has been an important component of the Food Stamp Program since its inception. While FNS has been aware for some time that a number of state agencies have been making use of group interviews in order to simplify office operations, recently regional pffices also have asked for guidance on various ways that group interviews might be conducted in their states.
On May 18, 2006, FNS published the attached final rule entitled, "Civil Rights Data Collection" in the Federal Register. The final rule implements the new racial and ethnic data collection and reporting for the Food Stamp Program to comply with the l 997 data collection standards issued by the Office of Management and Budget.
The VENA Guidance is intended to guide WIC state agencies in developing policies and procedures related to all aspects of nutrition assessment.
The US Department of Health and Human services published its annual update of poverty income guidelines in the Federal Register of Jan. 24, 2006.
Several state agencies have recently asked FNS to approve increases in their Standard Utility Allowances (SUA’s) for heating and cooling based on projections of substantial price increases in energy sources – particularly natural gas. We are aware of broad interest in the issue of the impact of higher energy prices on household budgets and appreciate the conferences and correspondence that bring this issue to our attention.
The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act authorizes FNS to award $9,000,000 in FY 2006 to be used to assist states in implementing mandatory direct certification and other provisions related to certification and verification of students’ eligibility to receive free and reduced price meal benefits in the school nutrition programs.
This memo is in response to requests for us to clarify what takes place when a confirmation review finds an error in the eligibility determination after a household has been initially notified of its status.
The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 requires school districts to directly certify for free school meals any child who is a member of a household receiving assistance under the Food Stamp Program.
This memorandum provides information about implementing requirements concerning confirmation activities, individual review of selected applications and follow-up in relation to verification of households’ eligibility for free or reduced price meals.
On Dec. 8, 2004, the President signed The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005. This law contains a provision which excludes from consideration as income in the Food Stamp Program additional pay received by military personnel as a result of deployment to a combat zone.