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Resource | Policy Requirement to Accept Medical Statements from Registered Dietitians for Schools and Child and Adult Care Institutions and Facilities

On April 25, 2024, FNS published the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans that included minor updates to CACFP and SFSP to better align child nutrition program requirements. These updates represent continued progress toward supporting the nutritional quality of school meals, strengthening the CNPs, and advancing USDA’s commitment to nutrition security. 

12/30/2024
Resource | Policy Request for Information: Child Nutrition Programs Tribal Pilot Projects

This is a Request for Information to inform the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) development of the Child Nutrition Programs Tribal Pilot Projects, as authorized in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024.

12/23/2024
Resource | Policy SNAP – Revised Memo on Telephonic Fair Hearing and Administrative Disqualification Hearings Procedures

This memorandum clarifies that telephonic and virtual fair hearings and administrative disqualification hearings are allowed, reminds state agencies of related requirements, and recommends various best practices when conducting telephonic or virtual hearings. This memo rescinds and supersedes previous telephonic hearing guidance provided in FNS policy memos 82-14 and 83-05.

12/12/2024
Resource | Policy FNS - SSA Joint Letter

The Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have news to share! SSA recently made changes to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, making it stronger and simpler for more than a quarter of a million older adults and people with disabilities. These changes could potentially increase SSI payments and allow more people to become eligible for the program.

12/10/2024
Resource | Policy SNAP - Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits Excluded from Income

This memo addresses whether state agencies should count certain Medicare Advantage (MA) supplemental benefits as income for SNAP purposes. 

12/05/2024
Resource | Policy Guidance for Accepting Processed Product Documentation for Meal Pattern Requirements

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide state agencies and program operators of the child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program, with additional information and clarification on the state agency monitoring process regarding the: 1) Child nutrition label, 2) watermarked CN label, and 3) manufacturer’s Product Formulation Statement.

11/07/2024
Resource | Policy Substituting Vegetables for Grains in American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Tribal Communities

On April 25, 2024, FNS published the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. While most provisions in the 2024 final rule focus on the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, this rule also includes limited updates to the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program to better align child nutrition programs requirements. These updates represent continued progress toward supporting the nutritional quality of meals offered through the CNPs and meeting cultural food preferences of program participants. 

10/30/2024
Resource | Policy Letter to Commissioners - SNAP EBT Chip Cards

FNS is pleased to announce that the X9 Committee ratified and published revised EBT standards in August 2024. Finalizing these standards is a significant step towards modernizing SNAP EBT technology and combating benefit theft. These technical standards provide the opportunity for states to implement EBT cards with chip technology.

10/28/2024
Resource | Policy SNAP Extension of Authority for Replacement of Stolen Benefits Plans

This memorandum is intended to clarify the impact of the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025  on upcoming SNAP benefit issuance and stolen benefits replacements.

10/04/2024
Resource | Policy SNAP FY 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustments

This memorandum provides the FY 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustments to the SNAP maximum allotments, income eligibility standards, and deductions. Under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, COLAs are effective as of Oct. 1, 2024.

08/02/2024
Page updated: October 14, 2021