Release Log

2026 Release Log
Release Number	Effective Date	Sections Affected	Notes
26.4	4.24.2026	101 – Application Filing a signed Application for Assistance via paper application or through the self-service portal of the eligibility system to establish eligibility and assign a review period. Filing – Interview Process – Change Information that is different from what is currently used to determine eligibility and/or benefits. 105 – Application Approval or Denial – Clarification 301 – Work Registration The act of signing the application or recertification form attesting to work registration requirements. - Change 502 – Eligible Having met the qualifications to receive a SNAP benefit by meeting the specified nonfinancial and financial requirements of eligibility. Alien A legal alien is a person lawfully residing in the United States of America who is not a citizen. A legal alien may not necessarily have permanent residence status. An illegal alien is a person present in the United States of America in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Status – Change 904 – SNAP Replacement Conditions - Clarification 1005 – Recertification – Change Appendix A – Glossary - Change Appendix D – Civil Rights The right of individuals to enjoy equal standing with other individuals in interactions with the government or with the community.- Change Processes and Procedures – Processing SNAP Reviews- Change	Updated the Review Filing a signed Application for Review via paper review form or through the self-service portal of the eligibility system for SNAP eligibility with the human service zone to determine continuing eligibility and establish a new review period. Interview process to allow participants to complete the interview during the second 30-day period. Added guidance for approving applications when the 30th day falls on a weekend or holiday. Refined and expanded Employment & Training Case Manager responsibilities and added E&T Component section. Included Class of Admission (COA) as part of Eligible Alien Status verification Third-party information or documentation used to establish the accuracy of statements.. Updated definition of 'Discrimination To make any distinction of one person or a group of persons from other, either intentionally, by neglect, or by the effect of actions or lack of actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parenteal status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.' and removal the nondiscrimination states from policy. Policy will now contain links to the applicable nondiscrimination information.
26.3	4.1.2026	Appendix B - Table of Standards	Increase to the Standard Utility Allowance.
26.2	3.12.2026	209 NAC - National Accuracy Clearninghouse	New section for National Accuracy Clearinghouse (NAC).
26.1	1.9.2026	301 Work Registration	Added clarification to SNAP Employment and Training sections.

2025

2025 Release Log
Release Number	Effective Date	Sections Affected	Notes
25.9	12.1.2025	402 ABAWD Countable Months – Exemptions 502 - Eligible Alien Status 503 Sponsored Aliens	Update to verfiation of pregnancy. Eligible Alien changes.
25.8	11.13.2025	803 Shelter Deductions	Limits the automatic application of the SUA based on receipt of a LIHEAP payment to households with elderly or disabled A member of a household who meets one of the following criteria: 1.Eligible to receive SSI benefits, including presumptive SSI payments, or is eligible as a 1619B under SSI criteria. 2.Is determined disabled by SSA and in receipt of disability payments. 3.Is a recipient of disability related medical assistance under Medicaid (Title XIX of the Social Security Act). Eligibility to receive these benefits must be based on disability or blindness criteria, which is at least as stringent as SSI regulations. 4.Is in receipt of disability retirement benefits from a government agency because of a disability considered permanent under Social Security disability criteria. 5.Is a veteran with a service connected or non-service connected disability. 6.Is a veteran considered by the VA in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently house bound under Title 38 of the United States Code. 7.Is a surviving spouse of a veteran and considered by the VA in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently house bound or a surviving child of a veteran and considered by the VA as permanently incapable of self-support under Title 38 of the United States Code. 8.Is a surviving spouse or surviving child of a veteran and considered by the VA entitled to compensation for a service-connected death or pension benefits for a non-service-connected death under Title 38 of the United States Code and has a disability considered permanent. Entitled refers to a surviving spouse and surviving children who are receiving the compensation or pension benefits stated or have been approved for such payments but are not yet receiving them. 9.Is in receipt of a Railroad Retirement disability annuity and has been determined to qualify for Medicare. 10.Is in receipt of SSI optional or mandatory supplementation. (North Dakota does not have SSI optional or mandatory supplementation. However, someone moving to North Dakota may have received this benefit from another state.) 11. Is in receipt of disability-based State general assistance benefits, provided that the eligibility to receive any of these benefits is based upon disability or blindness criteria established by the state they receive the benefit from, which are at least as stringent as those used under SSI regulations. (North Dakota does not have disability-based State general assistance benefits. However, someone moving to North Dakota may have received this benefit from another state.) members.
25.7	11.1.2025	401 ABAWD Overview 402 ABAWD Countable Months - Exemptions 403 Geographic Waiver	ABAWD changes to age limits and exemptions.
25.6	10.1.2025	801 Standard, Earned, Dependent A person who relies on another for support. Care, Child Support Voluntary or court ordered payment by an absent parent for the purpose of meeting the needs of his/her child(ren). and Representative Payee Fee Appendix B – Table of Standard	Update to income levels, Thrifty Food Plan Diet required to feed a family in accordance with guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The cost of that diet is the basis for uniform allotments for all households. The thrifty food plan is based on 100% of the federal poverty level., SUA and Standard Deduction.
25.5	9.1.2025	1101 – Overpayments 1102 – Underpayments	Clarification of policy for overpayments and underpayments.
25.4	8.25.2025	101 Application Filing – Interview Process 1005 Recertification	Adding the use of new form SFN 677 to policy.
25.3	8.14.2025	107- Expedited Services Certain verification requirements may be postponed for eligible households to allow for prompt issuance of SNAP benefits. 1005 - Recertification Processes and Procedures - Processing SNAP Reviews.	Removal of 1-2 month certification periods. Added new section on processes for SNAP Reviews.
25.2	7.1.2025	403 Geographic Waiver	Update of counties affected by ABAWD Waiver.
25.1	5.16.2025	N/A	Initial release