The OBBB makes significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), including changes to alien eligibility for SNAP. This question-and-answer set provides additional information on Section 10108 of the OBBB.
FNS is issuing this set of questions and answers to clarify questions concerning the provisions of the Dec. 17, 2024, final rule, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Program Purpose and Work Requirement Provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. FNS expects these questions and answers will assist SNAP state agencies in implementing and complying with SNAP policy, especially able-bodied adults without dependents time limit policy.
We are clarifying student eligibility policy to help state agencies screen and certify eligible students and support work readiness for SNAP.
Broad-based categorical eligibility is a policy that makes most households categorically eligible for SNAP because they qualify for a non-cash TANF or state maintenance of effort funded benefit.
The Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) is a demonstration project that seeks to increase participation among the elderly low-income population by streamlining the application and certification process.
SNAP helps low-income people buy the food they need for good health. SNAP benefits are not cash. SNAP benefits are provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM or bank card to buy food at most grocery stores. To get SNAP benefits, your income and other resources have to be under certain limits.
In July 2019, FNS published a proposed rule entitled “Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)." This action closes a loophole that allows states to make participants in certain programs “categorically eligible” to participate in SNAP.
This memorandum provides best practices and resources to help state agencies effectively inform SNAP households of the requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents and to enrich training for eligibility workers.
FNS is issuing this memorandum in fulfillment of the commitment made in the preamble of the SNAP: Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 final rule to provide additional guidance for state agencies on how to carry out the exclusion of certain military combat-related pay from income for purposes of SNAP eligibility determinations.
The attached questions and answers address the SNAP: Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 final rule.