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Resource | Guidance Documents Use of Manufacturer-Provided Nutrition Information to Determine WIC Food Item Eligibility

This memorandum provides information to assist WIC state agencies in ensuring WIC supplemental foods on the state approved product list meet the minimum federal nutrition requirements and specifications.

12/03/2020
Resource | Guidance Documents SNAP – Q&As on Quality Control Related Provisions of PL 116-159

FNS is issuing the attached set of questions and answers to address inquiries received about the implementation of QC related provisions in the continuing resolution PL 116-159.

11/23/2020
Resource | Guidance Documents Commodity Supplemental Food Program: Revised Food Package Maximum Monthly Distribution Rates

This updated Distribution Rates includes new CSFP USDA Food items and removes the guide rate attachment for children, who were phased out of CSFP in February 2020, as directed by the 2014 Farm Bill. With this update, the Distribution Rates have been simplified and pared down to one attachment.

10/22/2020
Resource | Guidance Documents TEFAP State Plan Requests and Allocations for FY 2021 Farm to Food Bank Projects

This memo is addressed to TEFAP state agencies and provides the initial allocations for FY 2021 Farm to Food Bank Projects. This memo includes details on information collections under OMB# 0584-0293 and OMB# 0584-0594.

10/07/2020
Resource | Policy FY 21 SNAP QC Tolerance Level

SNAP’s QC system uses a tolerance level to set the threshold for determining which errors are included in the national payment error rate calculation. Based on changes in the Thrifty Food Plan, the tolerance threshold will increase to $39 for FY 2021.

08/27/2020
Resource | Guidance Documents Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Allocation of Funds for FY 2021

This memorandum provides the total funding amount available to FNS to distribute to state agencies, which is $202.9 million for FY 2021.

08/18/2020
Resource | Guidance Documents SNAP - FY 2021 Cost of Living Adjustments

This memorandum provides the fiscal year 2021 Cost-of-Living Adjustments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program maximum allotments, income eligibility standards, and deductions. Under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, COLAs are effective as of Oct. 1, 2020.

07/29/2020
Resource | Guidance Documents Food Determinations – Eligible Food (Excluding Meal Services)

This memorandum clarifies policy related to "eligible foods," which are foods and other items that may be purchased with SNAP benefits. This memorandum does not address meals that may be purchased with SNAP benefits from firms authorized to serve such meals, although these meals are also eligible foods.

07/13/2020
Resource | Guidance Documents Retailer Eligibility – Need for Access

SNAP regulations provide that the FNS must determine if an applicant firm may be authorized to participate  under "Need for Access" if located in an area with significantly limited access to food and the applicant firm has failed to meet the staple food requirements for eligibility under Criterion A or Criterion B.

07/13/2020
Resource | Guidance Documents Retailer Eligibility - Accessory Foods in Store Eligibility Determinations

This memorandum clarifies policy related to implementation of the final rule, "Enhancing Retailer Standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program," which amended the definition of "staple food" in SNAP regulations. Specifically, this memorandum clarifies foods considered "accessory foods," which do not count as staple foods for purposes of determining the eligibility of any firm.

07/13/2020
Page updated: October 14, 2021