FNS Documents & Resources

This memorandum modifies the policy related to categorical eligibility for free meals or free milk for children who are members of a household receiving assistance under SNAP, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations or the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program.

The purpose of this memorandum is to advise you of the FNS decision to offer state agencies the opportunity to participate in a demonstration project to exclude earned income from temporary employment in the 2010 census.

It has come to FNS's attention that, due to unusual shifts in utility costs, SNAP benefits to needy families may decrease when states make annual SUA adjustments this year - even if the circumstances of those households remain constant.

On March 6, 2009, FNS allocated the FY 2009 funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This is to allocate the funds for FY 2010

This memorandum is to inform you of a recent change to the list of USDA-approved Nutrient Standard Menu Planning and School Meals Initiative nutrient analysis software programs available to state agencies, school food authorities and local schools to meet SMI requirements.

Policy Memoranda FD-063, Household Eligibility Determinations for Disaster or Emergency Evacuees Residing with a Host Family (dated Dec. 4, 2006), and FD-072, FDPIR Households Displaced During a Disaster (dated Feb. 19, 2008), are cancelled.

Recently, we have received several questions regarding the operation of a school garden. Attached are questions and answers to address this issue. As in the past, please share this information with your school food authorities.

For over thirty years, SNAP has deducted the cost of telephones in determining a household's eligibility and benefit amounts, either by deducting actual telephone bills or standard telephone allowances.

The following chart clarifies what verification requirements are mandatory at initial certification and describes the program flexibility within those requirements that may help reduce workload. The chart also lists the state options that may apply to each item of eligibility that could have workload impact.

We have obtained the latest school enrollment and attendance figures from the Department of Education. For your information, the updated national average daily attendance factor for use during Coordinated Review Effort for School Year 2009-2010 is 93.6 percent.