340:50-1-1 Purpose, legal base, and responsibilities

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this Chapter is to describe the operation of Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The purpose of SNAP is to utilize, as efficiently as possible, the nation's food abundance to raise the nutritional levels and improve the general health of the nation's low-income households. (b) Legal basis. The legal basis for SNAP is vested in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246) as amended by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill and Sections 241 through 244 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes. (c) OKDHS responsibilities. Per Section 271.4 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, OKDHS is responsible for: (1) certifying eligible applicant households for SNAP food benefits; (2) the issuance, control, and accountability of SNAP food benefits; (3) developing and maintaining complaint procedures; (4) developing, conducting, and evaluating training; (5) conducting performance reporting reviews; (6) keeping records necessary to determine that OKDHS is complying with federal regulations in its operation of SNAP; and (7) submitting accurate and timely financial and program reports. (d) Program informational activities. DHS has total and direct responsibility for initiating and monitoring program informational activities for SNAP in Oklahoma. (1) SNAP informational activities consist of comprehensive and ongoing activities to convey information about the program, including household rights and responsibilities, to applicant and recipient households through such means as publications, media, posters, and face-to-face contacts. (2) Nutrition education information is available to instruct and emphasize basic nutritional concepts and consumer practices for SNAP applicants and recipients. (e) Nutrition education. Nutrition education and program informational pamphlets and posters are available to order by local county offices. County staff are responsible for informing applicants and recipients of the availability of these materials at the time of initial application and certification renewal.