State Guidance Memo (228.85 KB)
FNS may authorize temporary waivers to deviate from specific regulatory provisions when they cannot be implemented due to extraordinary temporary situations.
Select from the following list to see all of the COVID-19 waivers issued to each state:
- Waiver of Quality Control (QC) Reviews for March, April and May 2020 Due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency – Blanket Approval
-
Date: April 30, 2020 RE: Waiver of Quality Control (QC) Reviews for March, April and May 2020 Due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency – Blanket Approval Dear SNAP state agencies:
As authorized by SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 272.3(c)(1)(i), the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will allow state agencies to suspend:
- SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 275.11 (b)(1) and (2) by adjusting the minimum sample sizes for both active and negative cases for fiscal year 2020, as detailed in the enclosure. As a result of this blanket approval states will select cases from only nine months of the fiscal year for QC review.
- SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 275.12 and 275.13 by not requiring states to conduct QC reviews for active or negative cases for the sample months of March, April and May 2020.
Under the authority of 7 CFR 272.3(c)(1)(i), FNS may authorize temporary waivers to deviate from specific regulatory provisions when they cannot be implemented due to extraordinary temporary situations. FNS has received multiple requests from state agencies for various QC related flexibilities in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Extensive certification policy waivers have already made normal QC procedures difficult to apply. FNS has determined that temporarily waiving the QC review is appropriate due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
Upon issuance of this waiver, all QC reviews for the sample months of March, April, and May 2020 will be cancelled, unless a state opts not to operate under the waiver. If a state agency elects not to implement this temporary flexibility, it must notify its respective FNS Regional Office, which will acknowledge receipt. State responses will be relayed to the FNS Quality Control Branch. All state agencies that choose to implement this waiver must comply with the conditions of approval included in the enclosure.
FNS is ready to provide technical assistance to state agencies as they seek to maintain operations and serve clients during the current public health emergency.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact your respective regional office representative.
Ronald K. Ward
Director
Program Accountability and Administration