Comment Request - SNAP Operating Guidelines, Forms and Waivers

This information collection consists of five components of state agency reporting and/or recordkeeping: A budget projection statement, a program activity report, state plans of operation updates, waiver requests, and other plans and submissions such as advance planning documents for information systems and for electronic benefit transfer (EBT) systems.

Section 16(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (the Act) authorizes 50 percent federal reimbursement for state agency costs to administer the program. 7 CFR 272.2(a) of SNAP regulations states that state agencies shall periodically plan and budget program operations and establish objectives for the next year. The basic components of the state plan of operation are the federal/state agreement, the Budget Projection Statement (FNS-366A) and the Program Activity Statement (FNS-366B) (7 CFR 272.2(a)(2)).

Under 7 CFR 272.2(c), the state agency shall annually submit to FNS for approval a budget projection statement which shall contain projections for each quarter of the next federal fiscal year and a narrative justification document explaining the assumptions used to arrive at the projections. The reporting burden [a total of 3,876 burden hours and 267 total annual responses] for forms FNS-366A, has 696 burden hours and 55 total annual responses and FNS-366B has 3,180 total burden hours and 212 total annual responses) was merged in the burden for the Food Programs Reporting System (OMB control number 0584-0594, expiration date Sept. 30, 2019, currently under review); therefore, reporting hours associated with these forms are not included in this notice.

However, recordkeeping requirements for these forms remains in this OMB Control Number. The state agency shall also submit quarterly a program activity statement soliciting a summary of program activity for the state agency's operations during the preceding reporting period. In addition, certain attachments to the plan as specified in subparagraphs (c) and (d) are to be submitted. As specified in subparagraph (f), state agencies only have to provide FNS with changes to these attachments as they occur. Consequently, these attachments are considered state plan updates.

Under Section 11(o) of the Act, each state agency is required to develop and submit plans for the use of automated data processing (ADP) and information retrieval systems to administer SNAP. Section 16(a) of the Act authorizes partial federal reimbursement of state costs for state ADP systems that the Secretary determines will assist meeting the requirements of the Act, meets conditions prescribed by the Secretary, are likely to provide more efficient and effective administration of the program, and are compatible with certain other federally-funded systems. Under 7 CFR 277.18(c)(1) of SNAP regulations, state agencies must obtain prior written approval from FNS when it plans to enhance, replace, or acquire Information System (IS) equipment with a total acquisition cost of $6 million or more in federal and state funds.

The state agency must submit an Advance Planning Document (APD) prior to acquiring planning services and an Implementation APD prior to acquiring ADP equipment or services. Additionally, state agencies administering SNAP may submit formal written requests, SNAP waiver requests, to obtain approval from FNS to deviate from a specific program rule or regulation. Current procedures require that in order for FNS to approve a SNAP waiver request, the state agency must submit the SNAP waiver request template to FNS.

Due to ongoing technical complications, the SNAP Workflow Information Management (SWIM) system has been suspended however, FNS may consider its use in the future. This suspension does not modify the currently approved burden hours in any way and states will continue to submit the SNAP Waiver Requests electronically via email.