This memorandum sets forth SNAP State Employment and Training plan approval policies. This guidance is based upon a similar memo regarding SNAP Nutrition Education Plans, issued June 16, 2006.
This memorandum provides a policy option to states to help soften the impact that reduced SUAs might have on SNAP households in certain state.
FNS closely reviews state spending on the SNAP Employment and Training Program. Recently, we noticed that an increasing number of state agencies do not spend money on allowable participant reimbursements, such as transportation and dependent care.
This memo clarifies FNS policy on serving zero benefit households through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program employment and training program.
Due to the impact on SNAP benefits resulting from continuing fluctuations in energy prices, FNS is modifying the Standard Utility Allowance blanket waiver memorandum of Oct. 14, 2010 to allow certain states to extend fiscal year (FY) 2010 SUA amounts through March 31, 2011.
The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify some cost principles of the SNAP Employment and Training program.
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.
The purpose of this memorandum is to reinforce the importance of carefully monitoring the funding of E&T activities-especially education components-operated by state agencies as part of their SNAP E&T programs.
Attached are questions and answers on the SNAP Employment and Training program in response to questions raised by the states in various discussions about E&T requirements.
On March 22, 2007, this office transmitted the attached memorandum to program directors to clarify that the Food Stamp Act prohibited providing Food Stamp Employment and Training program services to food stamp recipients receiving cash assistance funded by expenditures of state funds that count toward meeting the state’s TANF Maintenance–Of–Effort requirements.