As used in this part, the terms as defined in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2011-2032 (“Act”), and in the regulations, standards, instructions or orders issued thereunder, shall apply with equal force and effect. In addition, and except as may be provided otherwise in this section:

Administrator means the Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”).

ALJ means any Administrative Law Judge in USDA appointed pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3105 or detailed to the USDA pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3344 and assigned to the appeal.

Appeal means the appeal to the ALJ.

Ex parte communication means an oral or written communication not on the public record with respect to which reasonable prior notice to all parties is not given, but it shall not include procedural matters.

Filing. A pleading or other document allowed or required to be filed in accordance with this part shall be considered filed when postmarked, if mailed, or when received, if hand delivered.

FNS means the Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

Hearing means that part of the appeal which involves the submission of evidence before the ALJ for the record in the appeal.

Hearing Clerk means the Hearing Clerk, USDA, Washington, DC 20250.

Judicial Officer means an official of the USDA delegated authority by the Secretary of Agriculture, pursuant to the Act of April 4, 1940 (7 U.S.C. 450c-459g) and Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953 (5 U.S.C. 1970 ed., Appendix, P. 550), as amended by Public Law 97-35, title I, sec. 125, 95 Stat. 357, 369 (1981) (7 U.S.C. 2201 note), to perform the adjudicating function involved (7 CFR 2.35(a)), or the Secretary of Agriculture if the authority so delegated is exercised by the Secretary.

OC claim means a claim made pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2025(c).

Secretary means the Secretary of the USDA.

State agency means:

(1) The agency of State government, including the local offices thereof, which is responsible for the administration of the federally aided public assistance programs within the State, and in those States where such assistance programs are operated on a decentralized basis, it includes the counterpart local agencies which administer such assistance programs for the State agency; and

(2) The Indian tribal organization of any Indian tribe determined by the Secretary to be capable of effectively administering a SNAP in accordance with the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2011-2032.