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S N A P M A N U A L

16 Chapter 1 General Information 1 . 1 G E N E R A L P U R P O S E The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 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. SNAP permits 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. It includes as a purpose to assist low-income adults in obtaining employment and increasing their earnings. Such employment and earnings, along with program benefits, permits 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.

1 . 2 O P E R A T I O N O F S N A P SNAP is operated under the provisions in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (as amended). The eligibility of the Act is further developed in Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 210 through 299. SNAP is administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Secretary of Agriculture establishes uniform national standards of eligibility for participation. The address for the USDA, FNS Regional Office for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee is:

Southeast Regional Office U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service 61 Forsyth Street S.W., Room 8T36 Atlanta, GA 30303-3427.

The South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) is responsible for the administration of SNAP within the State of South Carolina, including, but not limited to: (1) Certification of applicant households; Chapter 1