U.S. flag
        An official website of the United States government
          Here's how you know
        Here's how you knowDot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**
              
              Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.
        Https**The site is secure.**
              
              The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.  *You are now leaving the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website and entering a non-government or non-military external link or a third-party site.*

*FNS provides links to other websites with additional information that may be useful or interesting and is consistent with the intended purpose of the content you are viewing on our website. FNS is providing these links for your reference. FNS is not responsible for the content, copyright, and licensing restrictions of the new site.*
  
  
    *Site LogoFood and Nutrition Service
                  U.S. Department of Agriculture*
Menu


    close

        
        
                        
        
  
          Home
      
                        
              Programs
      
                
        
  
          **Programs**
          
                        
              SNAP
      
                        
              Nutrition Education & Food Safety
      
                        
              Meals for Schools and Childcare
      
                        
              Food Distribution & Emergency Assistance
      
                        
              WIC
      
                        
              Summer Nutrition Programs
      
                        
              Assistance for Seniors & Adult Care
      
                        
              Farmers Market Programs
      
                        
              NAP Block Grants for Territories
      
                        
              Data & Research
      
                
        
  
          **Data & Research**
          
                        
              Data Visualizations
      
                        
              Research & Analysis
      
                        
              Program Data
      
                        
              Funding
      
                
        
  
          **Funding**
          
                        
              Grant Opportunities
      
                        
              Grants Management
      
                        
              Doing Business with FNS
      
                        
              Newsroom
      
                
        
  
          **Newsroom**
          
                        
              Press Releases
      
                        
              Blogs
      
                        
              Notice to Stakeholders
      
                        
              Federal Register Notices
      
                        
              Success Stories
      
                        
              Newsletters
      
                        
              USDA Press Releases
      
                        
              USDA Blogs
      
                        
              Contact FNS Press Office
      
                        
              Resources
      
                
        
  
          **Resources**
          
                        
              Factsheets
      
                        
              Federal Register
      
                        
              Infographics
      
                        
              Guidance Documents
      
                        
              Policy Memos
      
                        
              Videos/Webinars
      
                        
              All Resources
      
                        
              Our Agency
      
                
        
  
          **Our Agency**
          
                        
              Acting Under Secretary
      
                        
              Deputy Under Secretary
      
                        
              Administrator
      
                        
              Assistant Administrator
      
                        
              FNS Careers
      
                        
              Contact us
      
                        
              Civil Rights
      
                        
              Equity Action Plan
      
                        
              Partnerships
      
                        
              Freedom of Information Act
      
                        
              State Systems OfficeSearch


          
                      Contact Us
                                
                          
        
                Report Fraud
                                
                          
        
                AskUSDA
                                
                          
        
                USDA.gov SNAP Use of Nonmerit Personnel in SNAP Administration
            Breadcrumb
    Home
              Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)Resource type
          Policy
          Policy Memos

          
          

          Resource Materials
                                                                                                                      PDF IconPolicy memo (229.37 KB)

          

  Related Content
          Toolkit for State's Use of Nonmerit Personnel in the Administration of SNAP
    **DATE:**March 20, 2024**SUBJECT:**Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—Use of Nonmerit Personnel in SNAP Administration**TO:**All SNAP State AgenciesAll RegionsThe Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) seeks to clarify existing policy and flexibilities regarding the use of nonmerit personnel in the administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Accordingly, FNS is issuing a toolkit for states’ use of nonmerit personnel in the administration of SNAP, a copy of which is attached to this memorandum. This toolkit elaborates on the previously-issued memorandum dated Feb. 6, 2020, Revised Guidance for Use of Vendor/Private Staff in Call Centers: 2020 Update.The attached toolkit clarifies the functions for which states may use nonmerit personnel and the approval and major change reporting requirements for states seeking to use nonmerit personnel in the administration of SNAP. The toolkit does not include any substantive changes from previous FNS guidance.The toolkit is meant to improve states’ understanding of the possibilities and requirements of using nonmerit personnel and expedite state deliberations on employing nonmerit personnel relative to other strategies they are considering. This toolkit addresses the principles and rationale behind the SNAP limitations on the use of nonmerit personnel; provides explanations and examples of activities FNS can approve; and outlines the process for obtaining such approval.Previous FNS guidance allowed states to test additional capacity for nonmerit personnel with Federal Financial Participation (FFP) and expanded allowable activities by nonmerit personnel in call centers. This toolkit clarifies the guidance on functions nonmerit personnel can perform, regardless of whether nonmerit personnel are employed in a call center or other office involved in program operations. The toolkit addresses three types of functions:Functions that do not require FNS approval but do require notification pursuant to major change requirementsFunctions that do require both prior FNS approval and notification pursuant to major change requirementsFunctions for merit personnel onlyThis toolkit also clarifies the approval and major change reporting requirements for implementing changes involving the use of nonmerit personnel in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements. Depending on the functions states seek nonmerit personnel to perform, multiple approval and reporting requirements may be applicable. This toolkit outlines the circumstances regarding the use of nonmerit personnel in which a state is required to—Request prior approval from FNS to receive FFP.Notify FNS pursuant to major change requirements.Report the use of nonmerit personnel in a state call center through the annual state plan of operations.Please note, while receipt of an FNS acknowledgement of a report of a major change in program design is not a requirement prior to implementation, states are strongly advised to await FNS acknowledgement first. States implementing a major change without receiving such acknowledgement may be required to reverse the change and risk suspension or disallowance of federal funds if it is determined the change placed the state out of compliance with statute or regulation.State agencies that would like to use nonmerit staff for functions not mentioned in this toolkit should contact FNS to determine whether the intended use is compliant, requires FNS approval, and/or meets reporting requirements pursuant to major change requirements.Thank you for your continued commitment to ensuring all those in need of nutrition assistance receive timely and accurate benefits. FNS stands ready to provide technical assistance on policy and operational options available to your state to effectively administer SNAP while providing a higher level of customer service. State agencies should contact their respective FNS regional office with any questions about this memorandum.Moira JohnstonActing DirectorProgram Development DivisionAttachmentToolkit for States' Use of Nonmerit Personnel in the Administration of SNAPPage updated: March 22, 2024 Return to top

      Home
                              
              Programs
                              
              Data & Research
                              
              Funding
                              
              Newsroom
                              
              Resources
                              
              Our AgencyUSDA
                              WhiteHouse.gov
                              FNS PartnerWeb.gov
                              No Fear Act
                              Privacy Policy
                              Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
                              Non-Discrimination Statement
                              Civil Rights
                              Accessibility
                              FOIA
                              Information Quality
                              Peer Review
  Sign up for Updates
      Your Email Address:
  
      *Site LogoFood and Nutrition Service
                  U.S. Department of Agriculture*
Menu
Twitter Facebook Gov Delivery Instagram Flickr YouTube RSS Feeds