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Resource | Policy Memos Electronic Notice Waivers and Options

This memo serves to notify SNAP state agencies that sending e-notices and informing clients that they have a new notice via email is now a state option, provided that the state meets each of the conditions described in the memo.

11/03/2017
Resource | Policy Memos SNAP - Issues with Certification Materials Submission Instructions

This memo discusses SNAP applications and other documents being sent by clients to the USDA Office of Civil Rights instead of the appropriate state SNAP office. The memo outlines best practices states can use to make submission instructions clearer for clients.

10/11/2017
Resource | Policy Memos 2017 SNAP Disaster Evacuee Policy for Hurricane Harvey Disaster Area Evacuees

FNS is issuing this policy to provide states with flexibility to serve Hurricane Harvey evacuees. States may choose to either serve evacuees through expedited SNAP rules or through the simplified program rules in the Evacuee Policy, as described in this memorandum. When applying the Evacuee Policy, states must use the criteria detailed in this memorandum for determining eligibility, household composition, verification, benefit allotments, and duplicate participation. This memorandum also outlines the reporting and Quality Control processes for cases processed under the Evacuee Policy.

09/01/2017
Resource | Policy FY 18 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. For FY 2018, the tolerance threshold will be $37.

08/28/2017
Resource | Policy Memos Q&As regarding Military Combat Pay

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.

08/28/2017
Resource | Policy Memos 2018 Direct Certification Improvement Grant RFA

The fiscal year 2018 Direct Certification Improvement Grant Request for Applications are available to state agencies that administer the National School Lunch and the School Breakfast programs to fund the costs of improving your direct certification rates with SNAP, and other needs-based assistance programs.

08/15/2017
Resource | Policy Memos 2014 Farm Bill: Cooperation with Program Research and Evaluation

The Agricultural Act of 2014 clarifies requirements for participation in evaluations and research in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance on the implementation of this provision.

08/04/2017
Resource | Policy Memos SNAP - FY 2018 Cost of Living Adjustments

This memorandum provides the fiscal year 2018 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) 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, 2017.

07/28/2017
Resource | Policy Memos SNAP FY 2016 Payment Error Rate

The purpose of this memo is to inform you that USDA will not release a SNAP national payment error rate for FY 2016.

06/30/2017
Resource | Policy Memos State Agency Requirements for Required and Missing Verification for Regular Initial Applications

FNS is issuing this policy memo in response to inquiries about how state agencies are required to inform households about required and missing verification and how this interacts with other Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) requirements, including whether a state may close a case on the 30th day following application.

06/28/2017
Page updated: October 14, 2021