TEFAP Rules for Food Pantries in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) is run by Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) Food Distribution Unit. This page sets out what a food pantry or other distribution site has to do: who qualifies, what each household declares, what you record at each visit, how long you keep it, how complaints are handled and what you report. Where Oklahoma's own documents disagree, that is said plainly rather than smoothed over.

Oklahoma's TEFAP agency and official documents

• Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) Food Distribution Unit — the State agency's own TEFAP page (checked 2026-10-10).

Your food bank's agreement and current forms are the final word on the figures and forms to use.

Who qualifies: the income limit

Household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (official table: OKDHS table 7/1/2025-6/30/2026 (new each 1 July)). Households in these programs qualify without an income test:

• SNAP
• FDPIR
• SSI
• WIC
• CSFP

Computed as 200% of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines. Your State's printed table is the official one and may round differently or take effect on a different date.

The eligibility declaration

Form: Uniform TEFAP Intake Form. How often: once a year, from 1 July. Clients self-declare; proof of income is not required.

What to record at each visit

• name
• zip_or_county
• household_size
• date

Client signature at every pickup: No. Electronic signatures: Yes.

Proxies

Not published by the State (or not found in its public documents).

What you must not collect

• ID cannot be required to receive TEFAP food.

How long to keep records

4 years — 3 years + current FY (state); RFBO/FBEO say 4.

Civil rights

Complaints: no local forwarding deadline is published — forward promptly. Anyone may complain, in writing or verbally, without giving a name. Training: annual + before first distribution, signed log.

Posted or handed out:

• And Justice for All (visible from outside at drive-thru)
• Written Notice of Beneficiary Rights

Reporting

monthly to food bank, due by the 10th on Agency Express (FBEO).

• households
• individuals

Storage temperatures

Refrigerated 32–40°F, frozen at or below 0°F. Temperature log: at least every 7 days.

Also

• How often households must be able to come: every 30 days (best practice)
• Food bank rules: RFBO and FBEO require a signature at every visit.

Sources

• oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/cd/csfptefap/teofap_plan.html
• www.regionalfoodbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/TEFAP_USDA-Program-Training_02.11.2026.pdf

TEFAP in nearby States

TEFAP in Arkansas · TEFAP in Kansas · TEFAP in Missouri · TEFAP in Texas · all States

This page describes published State and food bank documents and is not legal advice. Your State agency and your food bank agreement are the final word. See also the federal TEFAP record rule and the free TEFAP readiness checklist.