Temporary Suspension of Claims Collections Guidance

FNS will allow state agencies to suspend SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 273.18(d) by allowing flexibility in the time frame for establishing or disposing of new claims. States are also permitted to suspend SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 273.18(e)(1) and (e)(5) by not requiring collection of active recoupment of SNAP overpayments, delaying collection on newly established overpayments, and not considering any payments delayed due to this suspension to be delinquent.

2021

May Extensions

April Extensions

March Extensions

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2020

December Extensions

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Maryland Massachusetts

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Pennsylvania

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Massachusetts

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Pennsylvania

September Extensions

Delaware Maryland

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Ohio

Pennsylvania

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Delaware Massachusetts New Jersey

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Rhode Island South Carolina Texas

June Approvals & Extensions

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Initial Approvals

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Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi

New Hampshire New Jersey North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma

Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Virginia

Resource

Temporary Waiver of Claims Collection Activities Due to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Blanket Approval

DATE:	April 13, 2020
RE:	Temporary Waiver of Claims Collection Activities Due to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – 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 273.18(d) by allowing flexibility in the time frame for establishing or disposing of new claims.
• SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 273.18(e)(1) and (e)(5) by not requiring collection of active recoupment of SNAP overpayments, delaying collection on newly established overpayments, and not considering any payments delayed due to this suspension to be delinquent.

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 these flexibilities and has determined that approval is appropriate due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

These flexibilities are available through May 31, 2020. This waiver is contingent upon a state agency’s compliance with the conditions and evaluation requirements detailed in the attached enclosures, which are due 45 days after expiration (July 15, 2020).

If the state agency elects to implement these flexibilities, it must notify its respective FNS regional office who will acknowledge receipt. State responses will be relayed to the FNS State Administration Branch.

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

 

Attachment

• Temporary Waiver of the Time Frame for Establishing New Claims