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Title 7: SNAP Page 1 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Employees’ Manual Chapter A: Administration Overview Revised June 20, 2025 Purpose and Organization of the Program Overview This chapter details the overall administrative requirements of Iowa’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), including a list of definitions used in the program. The chapter explains the Department’s administrative responsibilities, issuance of benefits by electronic benefit transfer, and the rights and responsibilities of SNAP participants, including program violations and how participants may use benefits. Also included are policies specific to facilities. The policies and procedures in this chapter are based on the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended. The portion of the Code of Federal Regulations that interprets the Food and Nutrition Act is Title 7. Department rules in 441 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 65 implement SNAP in Iowa. Purpose and Organization of the Program Legal reference: 7 CFR 271.4(a) and (b), 273.18 SNAP is a uniform nationwide program intended to promote the general welfare and safeguard the health and wellbeing of the nation’s population by raising the levels of nutrition among low-income households. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers the program. FNS delegates to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services the responsibility for the administration of the program within the state. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to:  Certification of applicant households in compliance with federal regulations.  Issuance, control, and accountability of SNAP.  Program information activities.  Developing and maintaining complaint procedures.  Developing, conducting, and evaluating training.  Conducting performance reporting reviews such as quality control and management evaluation.  Submitting accurate and timely financial and program reports.  Keeping records necessary to determine whether the program is conducted in compliance with federal regulations.