Legislation, Rules, Waivers and Certification Policy

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program operates under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended. Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) staff write rules (regulations) to implement the Act and changes in it, and publish those rules in the Federal Register. On occasion, FNS grants waivers of sections of the rules to SNAP State agencies to allow deviations from standard procedures to allow for temporary conditions, to allow more effective and efficient administration, or to accommodate unique local conditions. FNS also, from time to time, issues interpretations and clarifications of rules in policy memoranda, which are sent to the seven FNS regional offices for forwarding to the States in their regions, and are occasionally sent directly to all State welfare directors.

Last Modified:  11/21/2008