The final rule, SNAP: Standardization of State Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowances, was published in the Federal Register on Nov.18, 2024. This final rule amends SNAP regulations for calculating standard utility allowances (SUAs) and expands allowable shelter expenses to include basic internet costs. The rule also finalizes updates to the treatment of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program payments. This memo provides a summary of the final rule provisions.

This memorandum provides information about the approximately $500 million in additional support for emergency food programs that USDA is providing in FY 2025 under the statutory authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act for distribution through The Emergency Food Assistance Program.

The final rule, SNAP Employment and Training Program Monitoring, Oversight and Reporting measures, was published in the Federal Register on Nov.18, 2024. This final rule makes changes to the SNAP regulations implemented through the interim final rule. The provisions of this final rule are effective Jan. 17, 2025. However, to allow sufficient time for state agencies to make necessary modifications to their collection and reporting processes, state agencies must implement all provisions of this rule no later than Oct. 1, 2025. 

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide state agencies and program operators of the child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program, with additional information and clarification on the state agency monitoring process regarding the: 1) Child nutrition label, 2) watermarked CN label, and 3) manufacturer’s Product Formulation Statement.

 Through this memorandum, FNA is providing state distributing agencies, including Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs), with initial implementation guidance and implementation dates for the provisions of the final rule that pertain to USDA Foods Disaster Assistance. 

Through this memorandum, FNA is providing FDPIR administering agencies with initial implementation guidance and implementation dates for the provisions of the Improving Access and Parity Final Rule.

Through this memorandum, FNA is providing CSFP state agencies and ITOs with initial implementation guidance and implementation dates for the provisions of the Improving Access and Parity Final Rule.

Through this TEFAP program guidance memorandum, we are providing TEFAP state agencies with initial implementation guidance and implementation dates for the provisions of the Improving Access and Parity Final Rule.

This document provides information on the requirements for submission of additional CSFP caseload requests for states and ITOs wishing to increase their assigned caseload in 2025.

On April 25, 2024, FNA published the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. While most provisions in the 2024 final rule focus on the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, this rule also includes limited updates to the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program to better align child nutrition programs requirements. These updates represent continued progress toward supporting the nutritional quality of meals offered through the CNPs and meeting cultural food preferences of program participants.