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Basic page State/Local Agency

FNS works with state agencies to ensure eligible individuals and households can make informed decisions about applying for the program and access nutrition assistance benefits. FNS also provides technical assistance as needed.

12/13/2022
Resource | Research and Data | Food Security Trends in USDA SNAP Participation Rates: Fiscal Years 2016 to 2020

This report is the latest in a series on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation rates, which estimate the proportion of people eligible for benefits under federal income and asset rules to those who actually participate in the program. Because the coronavirus COVID-19 public health emergency affected data collection starting in March 2020, this summary covers only the pre-pandemic period of October 2019 through February 2020.

12/07/2022
Resource | Webinars/Videos Preparing for the End of Emergency Allotments: Lessons Learned from SNAP State Agencies

In an effort to help states prepare for the eventual end of the federal public health emergency, FNS hosted a webinar to share lessons learned from state agencies that have ended emergency allotments.

09/27/2022
Resource | Policy Memos SNAP FY 2023 Cost-of-Living Adjustments

This memorandum provides the FY 2023 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, 2022.

08/09/2022
Resource | Research and Data | General/Other Completed Peer Review Plans and Reports

List of FNS completed peer review plans and reports. 

04/05/2022
Resource | Research and Data | Participation Characteristics Trends in USDA SNAP Participation Rates: FY 2016-2019

This report is the latest in a series on SNAP participation rates, which estimate the proportion of people eligible for benefits under federal income and asset rules to those who actually participate in the program. This report presents rates for FY 2019, comparing them to rates for FY 2016-19 and showing participation rates by household characteristics.

03/22/2022
Resource | Policy Memos PL 104-193: Changes to Applications for Waivers in the Child Nutrition Programs

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 made a number of changes to the National School Lunch Act which governs the waiver process in the child nutrition programs. This memorandum identifies the changes and provides guidance to be used in developing and submitting waiver requests to the child nutrition division. 

12/02/1996
Resource | Guidance Documents Guidance for States on Use of Discretionary Food Stamp Program Time Limit Exemptions

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 stipulates that able-bodied, childless adults may only receive food stamps for 3 months in a 36-month period unless they work at least 20 hours a week; participate in an approved work or training program; or live in an area that has been waived from the time limit due to either an unemployment rate higher than 10 percent, or insufficient jobs.

08/14/1996
Page updated: October 14, 2021