63-101 GENERAL PURPOSE AND SCOPE 63-101

.1 Purpose of the Food Stamp Program

The Food Stamp Program is designed to promote the general welfare and to safeguard the health and well-being of the nation's population by raising the levels of nutrition among low-income households. Section 2 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 states, in part:

Congress hereby finds that the limited food purchasing power of low-income households contributes to hunger and malnutrition among members of such households. Congress further finds that increased utilization of food in establishing and maintaining adequate national levels of nutrition will promote the distribution in a beneficial manner of the nation's agricultural abundance and will strengthen the nation's agricultural economy, as well as result in more orderly marketing and distribution of foods. To alleviate such hunger and malnutrition, a Food Stamp Program is herein authorized which will permit low-income households to obtain a more nutritious diet through normal channels of trade by increasing food purchasing power for all eligible households who apply for participation.

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.2 Scope of the Regulations

Chapter 100 contains general information, definitions, and other material applicable to Food Stamp Program operations. Chapter 200 sets administration of the Program. Chapter 300 describes the application processing requirements and standards. Chapters 400 and 500 describe the eligibility standards and criteria to be applied by CWD in certifying applicant households. Chapter 600 sets forth requirements and procedures for food coupon issuance, use, replacement, and close-out activities. Chapter 700 provides procedures for coupon ordering and CWD responsibilities in maintaining coupon accountability. Chapter 800 describes the corrective actions for under/overissuances, wrongful denials or terminations, recipient fraud, etc. Chapter 900 explains procedures for issuing emergency coupon allotments to certain victims of disasters unable to purchase adequate amounts of food. Chapter 1000 sets forth the state/county coordinated Outreach Program responsibilities. Chapter 1100 contains all the federal and state forms that are required in the administration of the Food Stamp Program.

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CALIFORNIA-DSS MANUAL-FS

MANUAL LETTER NO. FS-90-01 Issued 7/1/90

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FOOD STAMP REGULATIONS

63-102 GENERAL PROVISIONS Regulations