The Advance Planning Document (APD) process is a series of successive steps through which State agencies obtain Federal prior approval of and Federal financial participation (FFP) in automation projects supporting Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) programs. This includes all eligibility system and Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) projects.
The purpose of this website is to provide FNS and State agency staff involved in the review, approval and coordination of APDs with tools, techniques, guidelines, and examples to assist in fulfilling their responsibilities in this area. This site provides guidance and tools to enable FNS and State agency staff to work in partnership for successful automation of program requirements and delivery of benefits to clients. The State Systems Office provides oversight of State Systems and the Advance Planning Document Process for FNS.
Please contact the State Systems Office if you have any comments, questions or suggestions regarding this website or the APD process.
Spotlights
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What's New
- 10/19/2016 - On June 25, 2015, FNS publishes a Request for Information (RFI) with the purpose of identifying ways to stimulate increased competition in the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) marketplace, to identify procurement or system features that are barriers to new entrants, and to seek suggestions to improve the existing business model. On October 19, 2016, FNS sent a guidance letter to SNAP and WIC State agencies that reinforces six of the recommendations we received from respondents to our RFI.
- 08/12/2016 - Added July 2016 Live Pilot Requirement Letter to System Testing Page
- 01/19/2016 - Final regulations require States to notify FNS before implementing a major change in their SNAP operations. Additional guidance on the Major Changes Rule may be found at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/policy.