FNS Documents & Resources

On July 4, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed into law Public Law 119-21, One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBB). On September 4, 2025, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published a memorandum describing the SNAP provisions of the OBBB, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 – Information Memorandum.

This memorandum provides State agencies with additional information on implementing Section 10102(b) and (c) of the OBBB, which changes criteria for waivers of the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) time limit with special provisions for Alaska and Hawaii. Please note, FNS is reviewing SNAP regulations pertaining to ABAWD waiver requirements following enactment of the OBBB to determine changes necessary to comply with the changes.

This collection is based on the final rule titled, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Program Purpose and Work Requirement Provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 published on Dec. 17, 2024, in the Federal Register. Since it has been a while since the agency sought public comments, the agency is opening the Paperwork Reduction Act requirements for 30 days. 

This memorandum adjusts the total number of exemptions available to each state for FY 2025. This includes adjustments in the number of exemptions available to states in which caseloads change by more than 10 percent.

We are committed to upholding Secretary of Agriculture Rollins’ priority to take swift action to minimize instances of fraud, waste, and program abuse, and to ensure American taxpayer dollars are spent with integrity and accountability. We are issuing this memo, both in support of that priority and in response to requests from SNAP state agencies and FDPIR administering agencies, for additional guidance on preventing dual participation and ensuring comparable disqualifications are applied in SNAP and FDPIR.  

This SNAP retailer notice emphasizes Secretary Rollins and FNS are committed to fighting fraud, waste, and abuse in all USDA programs. We are equally committed to taking swift action aimed at eliminating fraud occurring in the SNAP retailer community and rooting out bad actors who take advantage of the taxpayer’s generosity.

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.

The final rule, SNAP: Program Purpose and Work Requirement Provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, was published in the Federal Register on Dec. 17, 2024. The final rule amends theSNAP regulations to incorporate three provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. This rule also clarifies procedures for when state agencies must screen for exceptions to the time limit and verification requirements for exceptions.

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.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a letter today encouraging all governors to invest in SNAP EBT cards with chip technology for their states.