Skip to main content
Resource | Guidance Documents Disaster SNAP Guidance

Policy guidance, lessons learned, and toolkits to operate a successful D-SNAP program.

05/15/2024
Resource | Guidance Documents Use of Virtual D-SNAP Operations Reminders and Updates

This memo reiterates and extends the guidance, “Use of Virtual Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) Operations in Remainder of Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 and FY 2022,” issued on Aug. 2, 2021. This memo provides lessons learned and best practices for D-SNAP operations with virtual components.

04/13/2023
Resource | Policy Memos D-SNAP Policy Clarifications for Traditional and Virtual Operations

State agencies have faced unprecedented challenges during the last two fiscal years while operating a D-SNAP with a virtual component. This memo clarifies the following D-SNAP policies for virtual, hybrid or in person environments: food loss alone for D-SNAP eligibility, 72-hour timeliness requirement and needs assessment.

04/13/2023
Resource | Guidance Documents Guide to Coordinating WIC Service During Disasters

This guidance contains information to help WIC state agencies plan for meeting the needs of WIC participants and potential, newly-eligible WIC applicants prior to and during a disaster response. It can also be used to plan for continued WIC operations during emergencies or other situations of distress. The information is designed to assist headquarters and regional office staff, as well as WIC state and local agency staff in their development of an executable WIC disaster plan

01/18/2022
Resource | Policy USDA Foods Program Disaster Manual

This USDA Foods in disasters guidance manual contains important information for persons in FNS headquarters, FNS regional offices, and distributing agencies, which include state distributing agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations that are charged with the responsibility of providing USDA Foods to disaster relief organizations in the event of a disaster, emergency, or situation of distress.

06/03/2021
Resource | Policy Memos Meal Service During Unanticipated School Closures

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide updated guidance on the child nutrition program flexibilities available during unanticipated school closures. Schools may face unanticipated closures due to natural disasters, unscheduled major building repairs, court orders relating to school safety or other issues, labor-management disputes, or, when approved by the state agency, a similar cause.

11/05/2019
Resource | Policy Memos D-SNAP State Workgroup Recommendations

The FNS Southwest Regional Office convened a state workgroup comprised of seven state agencies with recent disaster experience to discuss concerns and best practices regarding D-SNAP implementation, program integrity, and program access.

06/10/2019
Resource | Policy Memos Addressing Civil Rights Issues in D-SNAP Planning and Implementation

FNS is issuing guidance on addressing vulnerable populations in response to state requests to describe lessons learned from recent disasters and practices state agencies can use in planning and implementing D-SNAPs. 

07/31/2018
Resource | Guidance Documents Providing Child Nutrition Program Benefits to Disaster Survivor Evacuees

This memorandum provides a reminder overview of options available under current program policy and regulation for connecting children and adult survivors, who have evacuated from areas subject to major disaster and emergency declarations, and may be staying in shelters, with child nutrition program benefits.

01/19/2018
Resource | Guidance Documents Questions and Answers about Disaster Policies and Procedures Revised

This USDA Foods in disasters guidance memorandum consolidates and clarifies select disaster/emergency policies and procedures applicable to the CSFP, the FDPIR and TEFAP.

12/09/2016
Page updated: October 14, 2021