FNS Documents & Resources

This memorandum provides a second opportunity for state agencies to opt for a blanket waiver of the regulations at S 273.9 (d)(6)(iii)(B) which require state agencies to update SUAs annually.

This policy memorandum consolidates requirements for the SDA when reporting the distribution of donated foods, and when requesting the replacement of such foods, in disasters, emergencies and situations of distress. 

Some state agencies have adopted a version of simplified reporting for other programs, such as Medicaid and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program, and are using multi-program report forms for the various programs, including SNAP. 

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 2010-2011 is 94.4 percent.

We are in the process of updating Form FNS-44, Report of the Child and Adult Care Food Program, to reflect the recent expansion of the At-Risk portion of the CACFP. Very soon we will begin working with a contractor to make the new form available in the Food Program Reporting System.

A number of states and regional offices have approached FNS with further questions about the use of non-merit staff in the SNAP application and recertification process. These questions primarily revolved around the use of temporary non-merit staff and staff funded with non-SNAP funds. The following Questions and Answers are meant to further clarify questions raised by states and regional offices and also expand upon prior guidance.

On Dec. 22, 2009, Puerto Rico passed Law 191 of 2009 that voids all Puerto Rican birth certificates issued prior to July 1, 2010. Current Puerto Rican birth certificates remain valid until the July I, 2010 effective date of the new law. As a result of this recent legislation, FNS has been asked to provide guidance to state agencies as to the treatment of voided Puerto Rican birth certificates for SNAP purposes.

On June 21, 2010, Food and Nutrition Service issued policy guidance on how to treat household members whose Puerto Rican birth certificates were voided under Puerto Rico Law 191 of 2009. The SNAP policy was to go into effect July 1, 2010 to coincide with the effective date of the new law.

This policy memorandum clarifies the audit-related tracking and notification requirements for TEFAP state agencies and Eligible Recipient Agencies that further distribute or pass-through TEFAP food or funds to ERAs and are subject to audit requirements under 7 CFR Part 3052.

We would like to issue a correction on question 11 from the Questions and Answers on categorical eligibility that were issued on Dec. 15, 2009. The answer incorrectly states that the entire household is no longer categorically eligible if any member of a categorically eligible household fails to comply with work registration, job search, voluntary quit, workfare, or monthly reporting requirements.