Can State agencies conduct a pilot test of new food package issuance (on a small-scale) prior to State-wide rollout?
If the State agency is referring to pilot testing the actual issuance of food benefits, the answer is no. As stated in the interim rule, the State agency may phase-in the new food packages on a participant category basis, but once the State agency begins issuing the new food packages, it must be done on a Statewide basis. Because of issues of equity and participant and vendor confusion, piloting the issuance of food benefits is not authorized. If the State agencys question pertains to the testing of processes and systems without the actual issuance of food benefits, then yes, that is acceptable.
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- Can State agencies conduct a pilot test of new food package issuance (on a small-scale) prior to State-wide rollout?
