Consistent with USDA's efforts to increase state flexibility within the bounds of the law, FNS is expanding allowable activities for states seeking to use non-merit system personnel in call centers. With FNS approval, states may now use non-merit personnel to provide basic case-specific information that is readily available in the system to a SNAP applicant or participant, such as application or case status, benefit issuance date, and status of submitted verifications.
This memo discusses SNAP applications and other documents being sent by clients to the USDA Office of Civil Rights instead of the appropriate state SNAP office. The memo outlines best practices states can use to make submission instructions clearer for clients.
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide regional offices and state agencies with information that can help them examine and revise client notices of denial and termination to improve SNAP customer service and program access.
The attached questions and answers are intended to address state agency concerns about the effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on SNAP.
Attached are additional questions and answers in response to issues raised by state agencies on SNAP certification and eligibility provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008.
Questions and answers on the certification issues in the 2008 Farm Bill.
On June 18, 2008, Congress enacted PL 110-246. Attached is an implementing memo describing the Food Stamp provision of The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008.
A letter about the summary of state options to urge full consideration of food stamp policy options, which can improve customer service and streamline program administration.
The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 2001 increases the maximum excess shelter expense deduction and allows sates to substitute their TANF vehicle rules for the food stamp vehicle rules where doing so would result in a lower attribution of resources to food stamp households.