FNS Documents & Resources

As authorized by section 2302 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, FNS will allow state agencies to make specific adjustments.

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) is part of the U.S. government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

FNS is issuing the attached set of questions and answers to address inquiries received about the implementation of QC related provisions in the continuing resolution (PL 116-159) signed into law on Oct. 1, 2020.

The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (P.L. 116-159) extends Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) through the end of September, 2021. That means that P-EBT is now available for all of school year (SY) 2020-2021.

The Secretary is exercising the option provided in SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 275.21(b)(2) to grant states additional time to dispose of individual QC cases. States will be given an additional 45 days to report the findings of all cases selected for the June 2020 sample month, without the need to provide a separate explanation as required at 7 CFR 275.21(b)(4).

This memorandum defines heated foods, hot foods, and cold prepared foods in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) retailer eligibility determinations. Only staple food products are counted toward a firm’s eligibility to participate in SNAP. Heated foods, hot foods, and cold prepared foods are not considered staple foods, and are not counted when determining if a firm meets Criterion A or Criterion B to be eligible to participate in SNAP as an authorized retail food store.

This memorandum provides the fiscal year 2021 Cost-of-Living Adjustments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program maximum allotments, income eligibility standards, and deductions. Under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, COLAs are effective as of Oct. 1, 2020.

The guidance document provides policy guidance for states regarding the operation of the SNAP Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program, referred to as SNAP-Ed.

Section 9 of the Food and Nutrition Act provides the Secretary with the authority to consider the business integrity and reputation of retailers who apply or are currently authorized to redeem Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits when determining the retailers’ qualifications to participate in SNAP.