All the most current resources you need to successfully operate the Emergency Food Assistance Program are available here. TDA keeps this page updated with any new policy updates and news, including the following:
- Handbook release notices with update summaries
- Form release notices
- Brand new policy updates that haven’t yet been updated within the handbooks
- FAQs and other resources, as required
Please bookmark this page and check back periodically. Please also replace any previous versions of saved handbook sections once an update is released, as announced below.
August 29, 2025 - Increase to the Formal Procurement Threshold
On September 1, 2025, in accordance with Texas Senate Bill 1173, which raises the formal procurement threshold for school districts from $50,000 to $100,000, TDA is also raising the formal procurement threshold to $100,000 for all nutrition and household programs. As such, beginning September 1, any single transaction over $10,000 but below $100,000 will require the small purchase method, and transactions of $100,000 and over will require formal procurement. TDA is in the process of updating these thresholds in all program handbooks.
July 17, 2025 - Guidance on the Interpretation of Discrimination Based on “Sex” in USDA Child Nutrition Programs
USDA has rescinded the May 2022 Bostock policy update that sought to require federally-funded food and nutrition service programs to redefine discrimination by reason of “sex” under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (FNA) as not based on just male or female, but also “gender identity.” While an official updated Nondiscrimination Statement has not been issued by USDA, Contracting Entities should update electronic resources and any newly printed materials to reflect the version of the NDS available on SquareMeals. TDA will continue to provide guidance on any further updates to the NDS. More information is available here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/guidance-discrimination-sex
June 6, 2025 - RELEASE: Revised Alternate TEFAP Participant Application Form (H1555b)
TDA has posted updated English and Spanish versions of the alternate TEFAP Participant Application Form (H1555b) with the updated Income Eligibility Guidelines for Program Year 2025-2026.
These forms are located on the TEFAP Administration/Forms page: https://squaremeals.org/Programs/The-Emergency-Food-Assistance-Program/Administration-Forms
March 28, 2025 – RELEASE: Multiple TEFAP Handbook Sections - UPDATE
NOTE: These revisions were initially released March 7, 2025. Language was added to Section 4 on March 28 to clarify that the frequency of dry storage temperature monitoring must align with the requirements for monitoring cooler and freezer temperatures.
Multiple sections of the TEFAP Handbook were revised to reflect the most recent policy guidance and rulemaking. Significant revisions are highlighted within the handbooks and described in the newly published Revision Notice.
- Section 3: Managing the Program
- Section 4: USDA Foods
- Section 5: Visits, Reviews, and Audits
- Section 6: Civil Rights
- Section 7: Financial Management
- Section 10: Disaster Policies and Procedures
You can find the complete TEFAP Handbook; individual, revised sections; and the Revision Notice at https://squaremeals.org/Programs/The-Emergency-Food-Assistance-Program/Policy-Handbook.
Please replace any previous versions of these sections that you may have saved.
March 18, 2025 - RELEASE: 2025-2026 Income Eligibility Guidelines
The 2025-2026 Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) for all child nutrition and household programs have been released and posted to SquareMeals at: https://squaremeals.org/FandN-Resources/Income-Eligibility-Guidelines.Participant income applications that also contain the IEGs will be released closer to their effective date of July 1, 2025, and will be available on the applicable Program's Administration/Forms page.
March 7, 2025 – RELEASE: Revised TEFAP H1555 and H155b Household Application for USDA Foods and Instructions (English and Spanish)
The following TEFAP forms and instructions have been revised to include the requirement that a zip code is the minimum piece of information required at the time of application to establish participant residency:
- H1555 - Household Application for USDA Foods and Instructions (and Instructions) NOTE: Form contains both English and Spanish
- H1555b – Alternate Household Application for USDA Foods (both English and Spanish versions) and Instructions (both English and Spanish versions)
While a full address may be requested, it is not required for a participant to receive USDA Foods via TEFAP.
The forms and instructions can be found on the TEFAP Administration/Forms page at: https://squaremeals.org/Programs/The-Emergency-Food-Assistance-Program/Administration-Forms
December 10, 2024 – RELEASE: Updated H1639 Temperature Record Form
TDA has posted an updated H1639 Temperature Record Form and Instructions on the TEFAP Administration/Forms page. The form was updated to include columns for documenting dry storage temperatures.
EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 30, 2024 – Food Distribution Programs - Improving Access & Parity Final Rule
On October 31, 2024, USDA published the Food Distribution Programs - Improving Access & Parity Final Rule, which changes program regulations to make access and parity improvements within TEFAP, CSFP, and those using USDA Foods for disaster response. These changes must be implemented by December 30, 2024. Changes include:
For CSFP:
- Increases CSFP’s maximum income eligibility guidelines from 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, to 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, so that the program can reach additional seniors in need.
- Streamlines CSFP home delivery services by providing flexibility for identity verification requirements at the time of delivery of CSFP foods. This change is intended to help support state and local agencies in modernizing the program’s delivery methods.
For TEFAP:
- Removes a longstanding, burdensome requirement that requires TEFAP eligible recipient agencies (ERAs) to collect the address of all TEFAP participants. This change will streamline the TEFAP intake process and minimize lines at food banks and pantries.
- Standardizes TEFAP income eligibility standards among state agencies and establishes a maximum income eligibility threshold range for the program. This change will reduce variance in income eligibility across state agencies, and protect TEFAP access for those most in need.
In USDA Foods in Disasters, the rule:
- Removes a longstanding restriction on the simultaneous provision of USDA Foods and Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits, which was determined to be unnecessary and slowed down the provision of food to those affected by disasters, emergencies, and distress situations.
- Revises reporting requirements for state agencies operating approved disaster household distributions. This reporting will improve USDA’s and state distributing agencies’ understanding of the quantity and types of USDA Foods available for emergency response and allow USDA to more quickly replace USDA Foods used in disaster response.
More information on these regulation changes can currently be found at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/usda-foods/improving-access-parity-final-rule
TDA will be updating handbooks and resources, providing updates on our regularly scheduled calls with the Food Banks, and posting updates on this page, as required.