The U.S. The Department of Agriculture recently released the annual Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program payment error rates. These rates are a measure of how accurately states determine eligibility for SNAP.
According to a press release from the USDA “The national payment error rate for fiscal year (FY) 2025 is 10.62%, far surpassing the congressional threshold of 6%. While this is a modest decrease from FY 2024, the FY 2025 rate still shows significant waste at the state level. Including both overpayments and underpayments, this year’s rate represents a collective $10.1 billion in improper payments nationwide.
Secretary of agriculture Brooke Rollins also commented on this saying, “These payment error rates are further proof that state accountability is severely lacking in SNAP. USDA has taken historic action to help interested states curb SNAP waste, and I hope other states, regardless of political leadership, prioritize needy families and the American taxpayer over politics.”
The USDA press release also details new guardrails to hold states responsible for high payment error rates saying, “States with error rates at or above the 6% threshold will be responsible for covering 5%, 10%, or 15% of their states’ benefits. The higher their PER, the higher the percentage—and in most cases, as soon as October 1, 2027. The FY 2025 PER is the first year that could be used to calculate those percentages.”
Audio Reporting by Elizabeth Sanders for Southeast AgNet.