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Resource | Policy Memos Updated Guidance for Improving State Agency Application Processing Timeliness Rates: Standardizing the Escalation Process

The purpose of this memorandum is to advise state agencies on the steps the Food and Nutrition Service will take to monitor and engage state agencies with poor SNAP initial application processing timeliness rates.

08/02/2023
Resource | Policy WIC Policy Memorandum #2023-5: Data Sharing to Improve Outreach and Streamline Certification in WIC

This policy memorandum provides guidance on data sharing activities that support targeted outreach and streamlined certification processes aimed at increasing WIC participation and retention. It expresses USDA FNS support of data sharing, provides an overview of data sharing relevant to WIC, summarizes WIC program guidance on sharing confidential WIC participant data, and lays the groundwork for future guidance and resources to help WIC state agencies expand outreach and streamline the
certification process.

WPM 2023-5
04/25/2023
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance WIC Shopping Experience Improvement Grant: Notice of Funding Availability

As part of the WIC innovation and modernization efforts to be funded under ARPA, FNS will fund non-competitive grants to WIC State agencies to complete projects aimed at improving the WIC shopping experience, which is a well-documented pain point for WIC participants. The primary goal of funded projects must be to improve the shopping experience, as evidenced by increasing the redemption of WIC benefits, improving customer satisfaction, and/or improving participant access to vendors, including for underserved communities and individuals.

06/30/2022
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance | FNS-GD-2021-0117 WIC Supports Online Ordering and Transactions in WIC

FNS is committed to supporting WIC state agencies that are pursuing online ordering and online transactions. Bringing these shopping innovations to our participants is expected to improve the WIC shopping experience, increase equity in the program by allowing participants to shop like all other shoppers, and increase WIC benefit redemptions.

11/02/2021
Resource | Guidance Documents | FNS-GD-2021-0074 WIC Certification and Eligibility Resource and Best Practices Guide

The WIC Certification and Eligibility Resource and Best Practices Guide  is a compilation of existing regulations and best practices that WIC state and local agencies may choose to use when determining eligibility for the program.  This simple, 10-page document walks WIC personnel through the certification process.

07/20/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0023 WIC and WIC FMNP American Rescue Plan Act - Program Modernization

This Informational memorandum signals USDA FNS’ intent to set forth efforts in support of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The Act provides $390 million for FY 2021, to remain available through FY 2024, to carry out outreach, innovation, and program modernization efforts, including appropriate waivers and flexibility, to increase participation and redemption of benefits.

03/18/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0094 Publication of the 2020-2021 Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Income Eligibility Guidelines

This policy memorandum transmits the 2020-2021 Income Eligibility Guidelines for the Senior Farmers’ Market National Program.

SFMNP Policy Memo #2020-1
05/26/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0079 Clarifying Requirements for Compliance with Prisoner Verification System and Deceased Matching System Regulations

The purpose of this memo is to reiterate the importance of state compliance with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program regulations, Prisoner Verification System and Deceased Matching System.

09/24/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0045 SFMNP Income Eligibility Guidelines (2019-2020)

This policy memorandum transmits the 2019-2020 Income Eligibility Guidelines for the Senior Farmers’ Market National Program.

SFMNP 2019-1
05/01/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0060 SNAP - Issues with Certification Materials Submission Instructions

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.

10/11/2017
Page updated: October 14, 2021