Case record information must be kept confidential. See Supplemental Handbook, Chapter 930.
7 CFR § 272.1(c)(1)(i) and 7 CFR § 272.1((c)(1)(iii)
Only people directly connected with running and enforcing SNAP may see information in case records.
Some other agencies may need to review records to see if a person is eligible for their programs. These agencies include the following:
The Title IV-D Child Support Enforcement Program (subject to state and federal confidentiality requirements)
The School Lunch Program
Other federal or federally funded means-tested assistance programs, such as TANF, Medical Assistance, SSI, and GA
The CAO must give a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer the address, Social Security number, and photograph (if available) of any household member if the officer has the person’s name and:
7 CFR § 272.1(c)(1)(vii)
The person is fleeing to avoid prosecution, custody, or confinement after a felony conviction or attempted felony; or
The CAO has information the officer needs to conduct an official duty related to a felony parole violation; or
The CAO has information the officer needs to conduct an official duty related to a member of the household who is fleeing to avoid prosecution or custody in a felony case.
A request from a law enforcement officer for information about a household member who may be fleeing to avoid prosecution or custody does not make the person ineligible for SNAP benefits, nor does it end benefits. The CAO may need to get more information and to follow up with appropriate action.
The CAO may give information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or any other law enforcement agency if the agency requests it in writing. The law enforcement agency must be investigating a SNAP household getting SNAP benefits by fraud or violating the Food Stamp Act or regulations.
The written request must include the following:
The name of the person making the request
The requester’s authority to see the information
The violation being investigated
The name of the person being investigated
Any responsible member of the household, AR, or person acting on behalf of the household may review the case record during regular work hours. The person may authorize (in writing) anyone else to review the case record.
The CAO must not give out the name of anyone who has reported information without the household's knowledge or any information it has on criminal prosecutions that are taking place.
During regular work hours on regular workdays, anyone may review the federal and state regulations, bulletins, operations memoranda, procedures, and supplemental instructions used in the certification of SNAP households.
7 CFR § 272.1(d)
The CAO must not make copies of audits or investigations available.
The head of household may ask for a written copy of the EBT account transaction history. The CAO must provide a copy of the history for up to two calendar months.
7 CFR § 274.12(f)(2)
Reissued March 1, 2012, replacing October 25, 2008