Millions of Americans are now being underpaid from SNAP benefits according to fresh data by the USDA and FNS.
SNAP payment errors occur when a state agency certifies a household to receive either too much or not enough SNAP benefits.
For fiscal year 2023 (Oct. 1, 2022 – Sept. 30, 2023), the overpayment error rate for SNAP is 10.03%, with an underpayment error rate of 1.64%, in line with the previous year, the report states.
Payment error rates are not synonymous with fraud, but rather reflect how accurately states determine eligibility and benefit amounts.
Payment errors are largely due to unintentional mistakes, either by the state agency or the household, that affect the accurate determination of eligibility or benefit amounts.
“SNAP is a cornerstone of our nation’s safety net, and accurate benefits are crucial for families in need and for public trust,” said Administrator for the Food and Nutrition Service Cindy Long.
“We cannot tolerate high error rates in a program that impacts millions of lives. States must take immediate action to improve the accuracy of SNAP payments—or they will face financial penalties.”
While the administration of SNAP is a state responsibility, FNS has been actively engaged in supporting states in both decreasing payment errors and improving the timeliness of payments, another key measure of SNAP performance.
To help states analyze root causes of SNAP performance issues and identify responses, FNS has offered onsite visits, virtual trainings, and updated guidance and tools on effective practices.
Additionally, FNS has awarded technology grants to state agencies to improve SNAP application and eligibility determination systems.
Per the USDA report, Washington D.C. had the highest rate of underpayments at 4.58 percent, and Maryland had the second highest at 3.91 percent.
The next highest were Delaware at 3.57 percent and Maine at 3.41 percent.
Overpayments were far more of a problem than underpayments according to the most recent reports.
Alaska had the highest rate of overpayments at 59.59 percent, while the second highest was New Jersey at 33.43 percent.
Also Read: California Now Has Massive Departures As Hundreds of Thousands Leave
SNAP Eligibility Requirements & Max Amounts
Currently, rates for households have risen.
According to the USDA website, the current rates per month for SNAP according to household size in the contiguous U.S. are:
- Household size 1: $291
- Household size 2: $535
- Household size 3: $766
- Household size 4: $973
- Household size 5: $1,155
- Household size 6: $1,386
- Household size 7: $1,532
- Household size 8: $1,751
- Each additional person: $219
Now the eligibility standards are also updated every fiscal year. For the current year, the maximum cap on monthly income for SNAP Benefits eligibility is as follows:
- Household size 1: $1,580
- Household size 2: $2,137
- Household size 3: $2,694
- Household size 4: $3,250
- Household size 5: $3.807
- Household size 6: $4,364
- Household size 7: $4,921
- Household size 8: $5,478
- Each additional person: $557
According to Newsweek, for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the criteria are slightly different.
In Alaska, rates are based on whether you live in a rural or metropolitan area, with rates considerably higher if you live far away from a city or populated area.
Also Read: Florida Now Has Massive Departures As Hundreds of Thousands Leave
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